Estado nutricional e fatores associados em idosos do Município de Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brasil

Abstract

This cross-sectional study in 2009 focused on the prevalence of underweight and overweight and associated factors in a sample of 621 elderly individuals in Viçosa, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. Data were obtained through home interviews on nutritional status and socio-demographic and health conditions. Of the total sample, 53.3% were females. Median BMI was 26.40 kg/m² (range = 15.20-46.82) and was lower for men than for women. Prevalence of overweight was high (45%; 95%CI: 40%-49%), decreased with age, was positively associated with female gender and history of arthritis/arthrosis, and was negatively associated with age 80 years or older and smoking. Prevalence of underweight was high in men (18.2%), increased with age, and was positively associated with worse self-rated health. The findings highlight the importance of health strategies that favor lifestyle changes and healthy eating habits.

Avaliação da fragilidade em idosos participantes de um centro de convivência Evaluation of fragility in elderly participants of a community center

“…23 In this respect, it is worth pointing out that the weight control and disease prevention, as the individual ages, are quite important for the elderly to maintain a healthy lifestyle. 25 From the application of the t test, we found significant difference among the variables of age and low level of physical activity (p = 0,016), reinforcing evidence that the higher the age of the individual, the less is the practice of physical activity performed. However, there was no significant difference between the variables of gender and low level of physical activity, but this condition between genres usually vary according to each studied population.…”

“…23 Other studies held with elderly people also showed that women have a higher frequency of overweight when compared to men, in the same age group. 24,25 In this study, it was observed that 53,01% of the elderly presented Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥ 27; 33,73% 22 < BMI < 27; and 13,25% BMI ≤ 22. The average weight for the female was 62,2 Kg (± 10,1) and for males was 67,0 Kg (± 11,5).…”

“…It is also possible to observe that overweight is associated with a positive history of diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemias, arthritis, arthrosis and polypharmacy. 25 Weight presents decline with advancing age, and usually vary between genres. In men it presents a plateau at 65 years old, and begins to reduce from then on.…”

Aging Process And Quality Of Life: Evaluation Of Weight Loss In The Elderly

“…[7] The population group made up of individuals who reached the fourth age -the octogenariansit is now established that they are aging with more autonomy and independence for the daily living, even in a labile balance of health, it may therefore denote a better quality of life for this population, as the perception that the individual has his/her position in life in the context of culture and value system where they live and in relation to their goals, expectations, standards and concerns how much he/she is or is not satisfied with his/her life and depends on each person, their socio-cultural condition, age and personal aspirations, conditions in which the subject consider better or worse, and ranges from the physical, psychological and social dimensions. [15] Weight gain has increased alarmingly to public health and it is associated with a number of comorbidities such as diabetes mellitus type I, sleep anemia, dyslipidemia, systemic arterial hypertension that make the elderly a person susceptible to illness situation decreasing and/or hindering their independence and autonomy, directly affecting their quality of life.…”

“…Among the conditions associated with changes in nutritional status the following is highlighted: high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, arthritis, polypharmacy and more admissions. [7] Thus, understanding that to know the profile of the elderly population with relation to the nutritional aspects is important for health decisionmaking, to promote the health of the population for better living conditions and that body weight is crucial to identify this nutritional status. The evaluation of weight loss in the elderly was the objective.…”