Epidemiologic-Ecological Models of Aging

Food preferences of middle aged and elderly subjects in a Brazilian city

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this study were to assess data on the consumption frequency of some food items and the places they are purchased, especially by adults and elderly subjects, and finally to determine their food preference using cluster and correspondence analyses as a diagnosis and prevention factor.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Town of Serranópolis do Iguaçú, State of Paraná, Brazil, city with 4,854 inhabitants of which 22% are over 50 years old.

PARTICIPANTS

Two hundred and ninety five randomly selected subjects (96 men and 199 women), between 51 and 91 years old.

MEASUREMENTS

A socio-demographic and food frequency questionnaire was applied via home visits including questions on socioeconomic, anthopometric and health characteristics concerning the consumption frequency of 45 food items and the places they were purchased, using a five point category scale to obtain consumption data as well. The body mass index (BMI) was calculated using the Quetelet Index and compared with the World Health Organization Report Consultation on obesity. The cluster and correspondence statistical analysis were used to determine their food preference.

RESULTS

From the correspondence mapping (which explained 89.1 % of the variance), it was possible to determine aspects regarding the non-consumption of instant soups, frozen vegetables, cookies, crystallized fruits, canned fruit, distilled drinks and beer.

CONCLUSIONS

The dimensional representation structure demonstrated that the population of Serranópolis, who were 62 % overweight, preferred high fat content products, suggesting a reevaluation of their eating habits in the expectation of preventing non transmissible chronic diseases. The value given to farm production in Serranópolis do Iguaçú was also observed.

The association of socio-economic factors with physical and mental capacity in elderly men and women

The association of socio-economic factors with functional capacity has received less research attention than their association with diseases and mortality. However, functional capacity is an important measure of health and independence in the elderly. This study explores the associations of socio-economic factors with physical and mental capacity as measured in laboratory tests and on the basis of self-report. The data were drawn from the Evergreen project, comprising all persons aged 75 (N=388) and 80 (N=291) in Jyväskylä, central Finland. Women with a higher level of education showed better functional capacity on all indicators, among men higher education was only associated with better vital capacity and cognitive capacity. Better perceived financial situation was associated with better functional capacity in both men and women. The association between socio-economic factors and functional capacity remained even when the number of chronic diseases was controlled for. The results lend support to the assumption that socio-economic factors are associated with physical and mental capacity in elderly people.