OBJECTIVE To describe the sample plan, operational aspects, and strategies used in the 2009/2010 and 2013/2014 EpiFloripa Aging Study.METHODS The EpiFloripa Aging is a population-based longitudinal study with 1,705 older adults (60 years or more) living in the municipality of Florianópolis, State of Santa Catarina, Brazil, in 2009/2010 (baseline). The research was conducted with a face-to-face interviews, organized into blocks of identification, socioeconomic, mental health, health and life habits, global functionality, falls, physical activity, morbidities, use of health services, use of medications, food, oral health, and violence, evaluated in the first (2009/2010) and in the second wave (2013/2014). Additionally, in the second wave, we investigated the issue of discrimination and quality of life.RESULTS The response rate of the first wave was 89.2% (n = 1,705). The baseline sample, with predominance of women (63.9%), was similar to the 2010 Census regarding age for women and slightly different for younger men. In the second wave, 1,197 participants were interviewed (response rate of 70.3%). Follow-up losses were only observed for the variable age group (p = 0.003), and predominantly for those aged 80 years or more. Mortality data linkage and active search for participants were used as a follow-up strategies.CONCLUSIONS This study used strategies that were able to help locate the participants and maintain adherence, which ensured a good response rate during investigations.

Objective to evaluate the risk of dysphagia and its relationship with the stage of Alzheimer's Disease, as well as the relationship between the risk of dysphagia and nutritional status and caloric intake in elderly people with Alzheimer's disease. Methods the sample consisted of 30 subjects of both genders with probable Alzheimer's disease. The stage of the disease, nutritional status, energy intake, and risk of dysphagia were assessed. Results it was found that increased risk of dysphagia is associated with the advance in the stages of Alzheimer's disease and that even patients in the early stages of disease have a slight risk of developing dysphagia. No association was found between nutritional status and the risk of dysphagia. High levels of inadequate intake of micronutrients were also verified in the patients. Conclusion an association between dysphagia and the development of Alzheimer's disease was found. The results indicate the need to monitor the presence of dysphagia and the micronutrient intake in patients with Alzheimer's disease.

Severely obese individuals presented a similar incidence of depressive symptoms compared to those with normal BMI/WC, but higher prevalence. Intermediary values of body weight status decrease the risk of depressive symptoms.

Despite their association with current height, weight and waist circumference, neither behavioral variables nor the presence of chronic diseases influenced the anthropometric changes. Less educated and unmarried men lose weight at a higher rate, showing a higher risk of sarcopenia. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 2074-2082.

Alzheimer's Disease is characterized by a progressive loss of cognitive and behavioral functions, also caused by changes to the neuroendocrine system and eating behaviors, and can lead to patient malnutrition and result in a nutritional imbalance with consequent malnutrition, affecting the overall health condition in patients, causing organic complications and influences in the evolution of dementia. The study objective present some information relating to the main factors involved in weight loss in AD patients reported in previous studies. As method use non-systematic review of the literature in the period 1988-2014, with search conducted in MEDLINE, LI-LACS and SciELO electronic library. Results 58 scientific articles reviewed and subdivided in categories for discussion, like cognitive losses, psychological symptoms, dysphagia and others. Conclude that unfulfilled nutritional needs associated with increased energy demands and various alterations can lead to a rapid, undesirable, and sharp decline in nutritional status in patients with AD.