Domestic violence, obesity and malnutrition in elderly people in a capital in southern Brazil - EpiFloripa Idoso Study

Abstract

The objective of this article was to verify the association between domestic violence and obesity and malnutrition in elderly people in Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil. Cross-sectional study evaluated in the EpiFloripa Elderly cohort in 2013/2014. The outcomes were body mass index (BMI) and abdominal obesity (increased WC). Violence against elderly people was measured using the HawlekSengstock Elder Abuse Screening Test (H-S/EAST) instrument, and IPV using the Conflict Tatics Scales Form R (CTS-1) instrument. Logistic regression and multinomial logistic regression models were used. It was observed that men had a greater chance of abdominal obesity when in situations of violence and in the potential abuse dimension. Women were more likely to have abdominal obesity in the dimension of violation of personal rights or abuse, when they suffered IPV and when they were perpetrators of IPV. In relation to BMI, elderly women in situations of violence were associated with a greater chance of being overweight and those who suffered IPV. On the other hand, men in vulnerable situations were more likely to be underweight. It is concluded that violence against elderly people and IPV generate an asymmetric impact on nutritional status in relation to sex.