title: [Food intake, nutritional status and physical activity between elderly with and without chronic constipation. A comparative study].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Constipation is one of the most frequently found gastrointestinal problems in the elderly as aging modifies their food intake, nutritional status and physical activity, which are associated factors in the development of constipation.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To compare food intake, nutritional status and physical activity between elderly subjects with or without chronic constipation.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included a total of 140 subjects who were divided in two groups according to the presence or absence of constipation using the Rome III criteria. Diet intake was obtained through a 3-day dietary record (2 days during the week and one on Saturday or Sunday). Height, weight, arm circumference, and triceps skinfold thickness were measured and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was applied to all participants.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fiber and water intake were not statistically different between both groups. Constipated participants showed significantly less variety and less inclusion of all food groups in their diets compared to their non-constipated counterparts (p < 0.02; p < 0.03). Mean nutritional status was overweight and it didn't differ from each studied group (p= 0.49). Higher levels of physical activity were found in non-constipated subjects (1664 vs 1049 MET, p= 0.004).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study indicates that lower physical activity levels as well as an incomplete and less varied diet are associated to constipation in the elderly. Water and fibre intake do not seem to be contributing to constipation.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Investigación, Instituto de Salud Pública del Estado de Guanajuato, Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, México. esalado2002@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Elisa Joan
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Vargas-García
authors.forename: Enrique
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vargas-Salado
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000886:Anthropometry; D003248:Constipation / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet; D004043:Dietary Fiber; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004435:Eating; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D054368:Laxatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D009752:Nutritional Status; D011446:Prospective Studies; D057185:Sedentary Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014867:Water
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000700:Analgesics; D004043:Dietary Fiber; D054368:Laxatives; D014867:Water
keywords: Constipation; actividad física; adulto mayor; diet; dieta; elderly; estado nutricio; estreñimiento; nutritional status; physical activity