[Obesity prevalence and associated factors in the elderly in Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil: obesity classification according to two cutoff points for body mass index]

Overweight in Older Adults: A Follow-Up of Fifteen Years of the SABE Survey

Despite extensive research on overweight and obesity, there are few studies that present longitudinal statistical analyses among non-institutionalized older adults, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and factors associated with excess weight in older adults from the same cohort over a period of fifteen years. A total of 264 subjects aged (≥60 years) from the SABE survey (Health, Wellbeing and Aging) in the years 2000, 2006, 2010, and 2015 in the city of São Paulo, Brazil, were evaluated. Overweight was assessed by a BMI of ≥28 kg/m². Multinomial logistic regression models adjusted for sociodemographic and health data were used to assess factors associated with excess weight. After normal weight, overweight was the most prevalent nutritional status in all evaluated periods: 34.02% in 2000 (95%CI: 28.29-40.26); 34.86% in 2006 (95%CI: 28.77-41.49%); 41.38% in 2010 (95%CI: 35.25-47.79); 33.75% in 2015 (95%CI: 28.02-40.01). Being male was negatively associated with being overweight in all years (OR: 0.34 in 2000; OR: 0.36 in 2006; OR: 0.27 in 2010; and OR: 0.43 in 2015). A greater number of chronic diseases and worse functionality were the main factors associated with overweight, regardless of gender, age, marital status, education, physical activity, and alcohol or tobacco consumption. Older adults with overweight and obesity, a greater number of chronic diseases, and difficulties in carrying out daily tasks required a greater commitment to healthcare. Health services must be prepared to accommodate this rapidly growing population in low- and middle-income countries.

Mortality, sarcopenic obesity, and sarcopenia: Frailty in Brazilian Older People Study - FIBRA - RJ

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the risk of mortality associated with sarcopenic obesity (SO), obesity (OB), and sarcopenia in elderlies.

METHODS

We analyzed longitudinal data from 270 participants > 65 years of age of Phase III of the Study on Frailty in Brazilian Older People (FIBRA–RJ–2012). Socioeconomic, demographic, lifestyle, morbidity, and functional data were collected by home based interviews. DXA and body composition assessment was conducted in a laboratory. In women, OB was diagnosed when body fat percentage ≥ 38% and sarcopenia by an Appendicular Lean Mass Index (ALMI) < 6.00 kg/m² and muscle strength < 16 Kgf. In men, OB was diagnosed when body fat percentage ≥ 27%, and sarcopenia was diagnosed with ALMI < 7.00 kg/m² and muscle strength < 27 Kgf. SO was assessed by combining variables used to diagnose obesity and sarcopenia. The probabilistic linkage method was used to obtain deaths in the 2012-January 2017 period from the Brazilian Mortality Registry. Cox regression models were tested, and crude and adjusted hazard ratio calculations were conducted.

RESULTS

After adjusting for sex, age, race/skin color, walking as an exercise, and hypertension, individuals with sarcopenia were 5.7 times more likely to die (95%CI: 1.17–27.99) than others without sarcopenia and obesity.

CONCLUSION

A high risk of death was observed in individuals with sarcopenia. These results show the need for preventive strategies of early detection and treatment in order to increase survival employing multimodal interventions.

Obesity is associated with lack of access to dental care and physical activity among older adults: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the prevalence of obesity and associated factors among older adults. METHODS: This was a household-based cross-sectional study involving 282 individuals aged ≥ 60 years recruited in the city of Veranópolis, Brazil, using random probabilistic sampling. Participants underwent a clinical oral examination and completed a structured questionnaire. Obesity was determined based on body mass index (BMI). Individuals were divided into two groups based on the presence (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) or absence of obesity (BMI < 30 kg/m2). Uni- and multivariate analyses were performed using Poisson regression with robust variance. RESULTS: The prevalence of obesity was 34% (n = 96). Each 1-year increase in age resulted in a 3.09% decrease in the likelihood of being classified as having obesity (prevalence ratio [PR] = 0.969; 95% confidence interval [95%CI] 0.949 – 0.989). Older adults that reported walking < 5 or ≥ 5 times per week were 39.65 and 37.20% less likely to be classified as obese. The PRs of obesity in former and non-smokers were 4.40 and 5 times higher, respectively, than in current smokers (p < 0.05). Older adults with no access to dental care were 51.72% (p = 0.013) more likely to present with obesity. CONCLUSIONS: There was a high prevalence of obesity among older adults. Obesity was associated with lower age, smoking status, no access to dental care, and a lack of physical activity.

Avaliação do paladar de idosos e sua relação com estado nutricional e hábitos alimentares

Objetivos: avaliar a prevalência de disgeusia (distorção ou diminuição do paladar) e a associação com o estado nutricional e as práticas alimentares em um grupo de idosos, assim como identificar os gostos mais afetados e preservados.Métodos: estudo transversal com amostra recrutada no Centro de Lazer para idosos no município de Porto Alegre, RS. Avaliou-se o paladar, através de tiras gustativas (“tastestrips”), e o estado nutricional, através do Índice de Massa Corporal. As práticas alimentares foram investigadas através de questionário. Para análise estatística utilizou-se os testes qui-quadrado e ANOVA, com nível de significância de p <0,05.Resultados: foram avaliados 62 idosos (84% feminino, média de 70±7,6 anos), prevalência de disgeusia foi 19,4% (n=12), detectou-se 58% de sobrepeso (n=36), 40,5% de eutrofia (n=25) e 1,5% de baixo peso (n=1), não sendo encontrada associação entre alteração de paladar e estado nutricional (p=0,397). Cerca de 55% dos idosos apresentaram consumo elevado de sódio. Não houve diferença na média de pontos para o gosto ácido entre os idosos que temperam a salada com limão ou vinagre e os que não o fazem (p=0,054 e p=0,935, respectivamente). A média de pontos para o gosto salgado não diferiu entre os que preparam as refeições com temperos ricos em sódio e os que não os utilizam (p=0,055). O doce foi o gosto mais preservado, enquanto o ácido mostrou-se mais reduzido.Conclusões: apesar de evidências contrárias, não se identificou impacto das alterações de paladar sobre o estado nutricional e as práticas alimentares. Ainda assim, novos estudos que incluam essas variáveis se fazem necessários.

Body fat percentage assessment by skinfold equation, bioimpedance and densitometry in older adults

Background

Body fat estimation allows measuring changes over time attributed to interventions and treatments in different settings such as hospitals, clinical practice, nursing homes and research. However, only few studies have compared different body fat estimation methods in older adults with inconsistent results. We estimated body fat percentage (%BF) and the level of agreement among dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), bioelectrical impedance (BIA) and Durnin & Womersley’s skinfold eq. (SF) in older Brazilian adults aged 60 years and older from the Elderly Project Goiânia, Brazil.

Methods

The analytical sample comprised of 132 participants who had DXA data. The level of agreement for the %BF estimated by BIA, SF and DXA i.e. reference method, was examined using Bland and Altman’s and Lin’s plot.

Results

Overall, women had higher body mass index and %BF values measured by all three methods used. BIA and SF equation showed strong concordance to estimate body fat percentage in all participants (CCC = 0.857 and 0.861, respectively) and among women (CCC = 0.788 and 0.726, respectively) when compared to DXA. However, both methods underestimated body fat percentage in women and men with high body fat percentage. A strong level of agreement was observed between DXA and the anthropometric equation developed by Durnin & Womersley in men (CCC = 0.846), while BIA had a moderate concordance (CCC = 0.505) in this group.

Conclusion

The examined methods indicated different body fat estimates. However, the best agreement was observed between DXA and the anthropometric SF equation for men. Future research in older adults should develop new SF equations considering different ethnic groups.

General and Central Adiposity in Older Adults in Palmas (TO): Prevalence and Associated Factors

Objectives: To evaluate the prevalence and associated factors with general and central adiposity in older adults in Palmas (TO).Methods: Cross-sectional study with older adults (≥60 years) of both sexes enrolled in the Family Health Strategy program in Palmas (TO). Sociodemographic aspects, health conditions, and functionality were evaluated as independent variables and Body Mass Index (BMI) for general adiposity and Waist Circumference (WC) for central adiposity as dependent variables. Descriptive analysis and hierarchical multiple Poisson regression with robust variance were performed.Results: A total of 449 seniors (50.6% women) from 60 to 92 years of age, average of 68.3 years, were evaluated. The prevalence of general adiposity was 46.8% (95% CI: 42.2%-51.4%) and central adiposity was 78.8% (95% CI: 74.7%-82.3%). The prevalence of both outcomes was significantly higher among women and the participants with a history of hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and rheumatic diseases and those dependent in activities of daily living (ADL) than among men. Lower frequency of adiposity (general and central) was found with increasing age. After adjustment, the prevalence of both outcomes was significantly higher in women aged 70-79 years and hypertensive.Conclusions: The results of this study confirm the need to establish nutritional status monitoring and direct obesity prevention and control interventions in programs to promote health and quality of life of older adults and those in the stages prior to old age.

Influence of overweight on functional capacity of physically active older women

Abstract Aging comprises a dynamic and progressive process, characterized by physiological and functional changes. Among these changes, increase in body fat is considered relevant, since it can leads to impaired physical fitness and augmented cardiometabolic risks. Considering this, the objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of overweight on functional capacity of physically active older women. A field survey was performed with 24 older women who practiced physical exercise. Participants were submitted to anamnesis, anthropometric measures (i.e., body mass and height); the Senior Fitness test; sit and reach flexibility test; and handgrip strength test. Pearson’s correlation test and multivariate logistic regression were used to verify the association between overweight and functional capacity. It was observed that hip flexibility (R=-0.494, p=0.014) and flexibility of the lower limbs (i.e., sit and reach test) showed negative correlation with the body mass index (R=-0.446, p=0.02); and after the multivariate logistic regression, negative correlation of lower limbs flexibility (B=-0,035, p=0,014) and the body mass index was observed. Thus, higher the body mass index among participants, lower hip flexibility they presented.

Factors associated with obesity in urban collective transportation workers of the Metropolitan Region of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the demographic, behavioral and occupational factors associated with obesity among urban collective transportation workers of the Metropolitan Region of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais State, Brazil.

METHOD

This is a cross-sectional study conducted with 1,448 drivers and collectors in the Metropolitan Region of Belo Horizonte. Anthropometric, demographic, behavioral data, as well as participants' link to the company and bus conditions were gathered in 2012 through a questionnaire applied by an interviewer. To calculate obesity, the body mass index cut off point was ≥ 30 kg/m2. Prevalence ratios (PR) and respective 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were adjusted by Poisson's multivariate regression.

RESULTS

The prevalence of obesity among urban collective transportation workers was 16.1%. Female sex (PR = 1.84; 95%CI 1.37 - 2.49), aging 30 to 39 years old (PR = 1.66; 95%CI 1.17 - 2.37) and 40 to 49 years old (PR = 1.59; 95%CI 1.04 - 2.42), being in the same job role from 5.01 to 10 years (PR = 1.52; 95%CI 1.04 - 2,42) and from 20.01 to 47 years (PR = 1.90; 95%CI 1.21 - 3.00), and physical inactivity (PR = 1.32; 95%CI 1.01 - 1.73) remained independently associated with obesity after multivariate adjustment data.

CONCLUSION

These findings highlight the need to consider actions that encourage employees to participate in healthy activities when discussing health promotion for public transport workers, as well as actions to improve the organization and management of work, so it becomes a health and well-being feature for this population.

[High prevalence of abdominal obesity among the elderly and its association with diabetes, hypertension and respiratory diseases]

Rapid population aging and abdominal obesity (AO) are worldwide public health problems among the elderly and have been insufficiently investigated. This article sets out to identify the prevalence of AO among the elderly, its association with different morbidities, sociodemographic variables, and lifestyle according to sex. It is a cross-sectional study with a representative sample of elderly people resident in Goiânia, Brazil. Home visits were conducted to measure weight, height, waist circumference (WC), blood pressure, and to fill out a standardized form. The outcome variable, was calculated at WC> 102 cm for men and> 88 cm for women. Multiple Poisson regression was performed using a hierarchical model, adopting a significance level of 5%. The prevalence of AO was 55.1%, with 65.5% in women and 34.8% in men, with a significant difference (p <0.001). In men, AO was associated with age range between 70 and 74 years, the presence of respiratory diseases and high blood pressure. In women, AO continued to be associated with the presence of diabetes mellitus. The results contribute to the understanding of AO and developing preventive approaches in public health.

Accuracy of BMI and waist circumference cut-off points to predict obesity in older adults

The main objectives were to analyse the validity and accuracy of Body Mass Index (BMI) and Waist Circumference (WC) to evaluate obesity by excess of body fat in older adults and to identify more adequate cut-off points for this age group. The recommended cut-off points for BMI (25, 27 or 30 kg/m2) and WC (≥ 102 cm for men and ≥ 88 cm for women or ≥ 90cm for men and ≥ 80 cm for women) were compared to the total body densitometry. BF was defined by a value higher than the 90th percentile. Out of the 132 participants, 61% were women and aged between 60 and 91 years. The recommended cut-off points of BMI ≥ 25kg/m2 and BMI ≥ 27 kg/m2 showed similar performances. BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 showed high specificity but low sensitivity to identify BF in men and better performance in women. Conventional WC cut-off points showed low sensitivity and specificity. Based on our analyses, new cut-off points for BMI (25 kg/m2 for men and 26.6 kg/m2 for women) and WC (98.8 cm for men and 77.8cm for women) were proposed. The new cut-off points showed sensitivity and specificity values > 74% and accuracy > 76%. The areas under the curve (ROC) were > 0.86. The new BMI and WC cut-off points proposed in the present study for the diagnosis of obesity in older adults showed the best levels of sensitivity and specificity for this age group.

Built environment, contextual income, and obesity in older adults: evidence from a population-based study

The objective was to verify the association between built environment, contextual income, and obesity in older adults in Florianópolis, Santa Catarina State, Brazil. This was a cross-sectional study in a sample of 1,197 older people (≥ 60 years) evaluated in the EpiFloripa Older Adults Cohort in 2013/2014. The outcomes were overall obesity, abdominal obesity, waist circumference (WC), and body mass index (BMI). Contextual income in the census tract and characteristics of the built environment were analyzed using data from the Florianópolis Institute of Urban Planning (IPUF) and the 2010 Population Census. Logistic and multilevel linear regression models were used. For older women, intermediate mean income was associated with lower odds of abdominal and overall obesity, while higher percentage of paved streets in the census tract was associated with lower odds of abdominal obesity; one percentage point increment in local commerce decreased WC by 0.20cm, and a one percentage point increase in paved streets decreased WC by 0.43cm and BMI by 0.22kg/m2. For older men, better street connectivity and intermediate percentage of local commerce were associated with lower odds of overall obesity; the increment in street density decreased WC by 0.34cm and BMI by 10kg/m2; a one-point increment in lighting increased WC by 0.51cm and BMI by 0.11kg/m2. The results showed different associations according to sex and target outcome, highlighting the need for further studies to explore additional relevant contextual variables for these outcomes in older adults.

Overweight in rural elderly: association with health conditions and quality of life

This study aimed to verify the association of overweight with functional disability, self-reported morbidities and quality of life (QoL) among rural elderly dwellers. This is a domestic and cross-sectional survey conducted in the rural region of a municipality of Southeast Brazil. Three hundred seventy non-overweight elderly people and 192 overweight elderly people were evaluated with the following tools: semi-structured; Katz and Lawton and scales; World Health Organization Quality of Life - BREF and World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment for Older Adults. Overweight was associated with morbidities arthritis/osteoarthritis (p = 0.002), systemic arterial hypertension (p < 0.001), varicose veins (p = 0.009), heart problems (p = 0.028), diabetes mellitus (p = 0.001), cerebrovascular accident (p = 0.044) and urinary incontinence (p = 0.032). Overweight elderly had lower scores in the physical realm (p = 0.005) and higher scores in social relationships (p = 0.033) compared to those without this condition. Results point to the importance of monitoring the nutritional status of rural elderly to prevent comorbidities and improve the quality of life.

Bariatric surgery in the elderly: A narrative review

INTRODUCTION

Due to population ageing, the elderly obese population is increasing. Bariatric surgery is the standard treatment option for morbid obesity nowadays, but there is some controversy regarding its routine indication in the elderly population. Objetive: To review the current evidence about bariatric surgery in the elderly.

METHOD

On-line search in the electronic databases Medline and Lilacs and compilation of the most significant data. The most relevant studies in the area over the past 16 years have been considered for this review.

RESULTS

There was significant methodological heterogeneity in the studies found in the literature. Historically, old age was associated with poorer outcomes after bariatric surgery, both in regards to early postoperative complications and less weight loss, and resolution of comorbidities. More recent studies have shown better results, with morbidity and mortality comparable to those observed in younger populations. More cautious patient selection and the evolution of the surgical technique appear to be the cause of such improvement. An extended multidisciplinary team including a geriatrician and a social worker may also help to improve the preoperative approach.

CONCLUSION

Bariatric surgery is a safe and effective therapeutic option in the elderly population, but careful patient selection and specific preoperative assessment are mandatory.

[Low consumption of fruit, vegetables and greens: associated factors among the elderly in a Midwest Brazilian city]

The scope of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of daily consumption of fruit, vegetables and greens by the elderly and its association with sociodemographic, lifestyle, morbidity and hospitalization variables. The study was part of the multiple-stage sampling cross-sectional research entitled the Goiânia Elderly Project (Projeto Idosos Goiânia). 416 elderly people were interviewed in their homes. Multivariate analysis was conducted using Poisson regression to analyze statistical associations. P values of <.05 were considered statistically significant. Daily consumption of fruit, vegetables and greens was 16.6%: fruit accounted for 44%, vegetables 39.7% and greens 32.5%. Factors statistically associated with daily consumption of fruits and vegetables were female sex, age between 70 and 79, higher education level, social class A/B and C, alcohol consumption, use of sweeteners, regular physical activity during leisure time, abdominal obesity and hospitalization. Public policies to promote health should develop strategies that encourage adequate intake of fruit, vegetables and greens among the elderly, since regular consumption of same can improve quality of life and prevent/control diseases.

Association between body composition and stair negotiation ability among individuals >55 years of age: a cross-sectional study

Background

Loss of muscle strength exerts a considerable impact on the quality of life and mortality of older adults. The present household survey study measured body composition and muscle strength with the aim of analyzing the roles of low lean mass, low muscle strength and obesity in stair negotiation ability and the effect of comorbidities on the relationship between body composition and functional capacity.

Methods

Body composition was assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis and muscle strength was assessed with a hand grip dynamometer. The study population comprised individuals >55 years of age from a medium-sized Brazilian municipality. The sample included 451 participants.

Results

A total of 368 subjects were interviewed; their ages varied from 56 to 91 years. Among males, low muscle strength was associated with stair negotiation difficulty independent of muscle mass, age and obesity but muscle mass was not. However, when we analyzed comorbidities and body composition jointly, chronic lower limb pain and obesity were independently associated with stair negotiation difficulty but body composition and age were not. Among women, after comorbidities were included into the model, low muscle strength and obesity remained associated with stair negotiation difficulty as chronic lower limb pain and depression. The relationship between muscle function and comorbidities is discussed in this article.

Obesity and its Association with Food Consumption, Diabetes Mellitus, and Acute Myocardial Infarction in the Elderly

Background

Obesity affects a large part of elderly individuals worldwide and is considered a risk predictor for the development of chronic diseases such as cardiac diseases, the leading causes of death in the elderly population.

Objective

To investigate the prevalence of obesity and associated factors, with emphasis on the occurrence of other diseases and on food consumption in elderly individuals treated at the Brazilian Unified Health System (Sistema Único de Saúde, SUS).

Methods

Cross-sectional sampling study performed in the city of Goiânia (Brazil) including elderly individuals (≥ 60 years) receiving primary care. During home visits, we performed anthropometric measurements and applied a structured, standardized, and pre-tested questionnaire assessing socioeconomic, demographic and lifestyle conditions, occurrence of diseases, and food consumption. We performed multiple Poisson regression analysis using a hierarchical model and adopting a significance level of 5%.

Results

We evaluated 418 elderly patients with a mean age of 70.7 ± 7 years. Their body mass indices had a mean value of 27.0 kg/m² and were higher in women than in men (27.4 kg/m² versus 26.1 kg/m², respectively, p = 0.017). Obesity had a prevalence of 49.0%, a risk 1.87 times higher between the ages of 60-69 years and 70-79 years, and a rate 1.4 times higher among individuals with more than four morbidities. On multivariate analysis, the factors associated with obesity were age 60-69 and 70-79 years, inadequate consumption of whole-wheat grains and adequate consumption of fruit, musculoskeletal diseases, diabetes mellitus, and acute myocardial infarction.

Conclusions

Obesity had a high prevalence in the evaluated elderly population and was associated with food consumption, musculoskeletal disease, diabetes mellitus, and acute myocardial infarction.

Waist-to-height ratio as an anthropometric marker of overweight in elderly Brazilians

This study's objective was to identify the cut-off point for waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) with the best sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for the elderly Brazilian population, using body mass index (BMI) as the anthropometric reference. A representative sample of the Brazilian population consisted of 5,428 elderly individuals participating in an epidemiological survey. The variables were weight, height, and waist circumference (WC). WHtR was assessed with BMI as the gold standard, using two proposals for classification of the elderly population's nutritional status. The ideal cut-off point for WHtR simultaneously showing the highest sensitivity and specificity was determined using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Sensitivity from 94.9% to 98.4%, specificity from 43% to 55.4%, and values for area under the ROC curve from 0.878 to 0.883 were identified with a cut-off point of 0.55. We recommend use of WHtR in clinical practice due to its simplicity and good power to detect overweight in the elderly.

Frequency and factors associated with falls in adults aged 55 years or more

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study is to analyze the frequency and factors associated with falls in adults aged 55 years or more.

METHODS

This is a study inserted into another population-based study with representative sample of persons aged 40 years or more of the urban area in a medium-sized municipality of the State of Paraná, Brazil, in 2011. That study obtained demographic and socioeconomic data and characteristics related to life habits, health conditions, and functional capacity (n = 1,180). In 2012, we selected all persons aged 55 years or more (n = 501). We have estimated grip strength and the occurrence of a fall since the last interview in 80.6% of the adults. The crude and adjusted odds ratios (OR) have been calculated by logistic regression according to a hierarchical model.

RESULTS

The rate of fall was 24.3%. After adjustments, we could observe higher chances of falls among women (OR = 3.10; 95%CI 1.79–5.38), among persons aged 65 years or more (OR = 2.39; 95%CI 1.45–3.95), with poor sleep quality (OR = 1.78; 95%CI 1.08–2.93), and with low grip strength (OR = 2.31; 95%CI 1.34–3.97).

CONCLUSIONS

Poor sleep quality and low muscle strength can be indicators of increased risk of falls and need assessments and interventions aimed at preventing them.

[Nutritional status of elderly Brazilians: a multilevel approach]

The objectives of this study were to diagnose the nutritional status of the elderly Brazilian population and to identify associated factors. The study used data from the Brazilian Household Budget Survey (2008/2009) for 20,114 elderly, whose nutritional status was assessed by body mass index (BMI). Associated factors were tested with the Pearson chi-square test and multilevel linear models. The hierarchical analysis showed a significant effect of state of Brazil on BMI variance (p-value = 0.001). The individual level showed a negative association (p-value < 0.001) with Asian-descendant race, male gender, living alone, and older age and a positive association with per capita income. Underweight was more prevalent among elderly in rural areas (26.3%) and in the Northeast (23.7%) and Central regions (20.9%), and obesity was more prevalent in the South (45.1%) and Southeast (38.3%) and in cities (39%). The study suggests the importance of further in-depth research on nutritional status of elderly based on contextual variables.

Total and central obesity in elderly associated with a marker of undernutrition in early life - sitting height-to-stature ratio: A nutritional paradox

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether sitting height-to-stature ratio (SHSR) is associated with total and central obesity in the elderly.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study with 133 noninstitutionalized elderly. High SHSR (≥ 1SD above the mean) was used as a marker of undernutrition (MU) in early life. Poisson's multiple regression was used to determine the association between variables.

RESULTS

The prevalence of high SHSR was 21.0%, total obesity 43.6% and central obesity 50.4%. Elderly with high SHSR presented a statistically significant association with total obesity (PR 1.50; 95% CI 1.04-2.18) and central obesity (PR 1.42; 95% CI 1.03-1.95) after adjustment for sex, age, educational level and income in the multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSION

The occurrence of total and central obesity in the elderly was associated with a MU in early life. This result indicates that nutritional deficiencies in childhood may increase the risk of obesity in the elderly, a nutritional paradox.

[General and abdominal obesity among the elderly from Southern Brazil: results of the HOW ARE YOU DOING? (COMO VAI?) study]

This is a cross-sectional population-based study aimed to measure the prevalence and to identify associated factors with the occurrence of general and abdominal obesity among the elderly living in the urban area of Pelotas, State of Rio Grande do Sul. The process of cluster sampling was conducted in two stages. Overall obesity was defined by Body Mass Index (BMI) from measurements of weight and height estimated by knee height. Obesity was considered when BMI was ≥ 30 kg/m2. Abdominal obesity was evaluated by waist circumference, being considered obese when it was > 102 cm for men and > 88 cm for women. The crude and adjusted analyses were performed using Poisson regression. The prevalence of obesity was 29.9% (CI95%: 27.5-32.4) and abdominal obesity, 50.4% (CI95%: 47.8-53.1). After adjustment, the prevalence of both outcomes were higher in women, non-smokers, hypertensives and diabetics and lower in the physically active in their leisure time. Age was inversely associated with general and abdominal obesity. Reducing obesity in this population depends on the planning of health policies actively encourage physical activity, keeping in mind the limitations and health conditions of the elderly.

Bone Mineral Density in the Noninstitutionalized Elderly: Influence of Sociodemographic and Anthropometric Factors

Objective. Analysis of bone mineral density (BMD) in the elderly and its associated factors according to sex. Methods. A cross-sectional study is presented herein, with a random sample of 132 noninstitutionalized elderly people. Individuals who did not use diuretics were excluded. BMD was obtained from examination of total body densitometry and its association with sociodemographic variables, lifestyle, anthropometric, and body composition was verified. Results. Mean BMD for men was 1.17 ± 0.12 g/cm(2) and for women was 1.04 ± 0.11 g/cm(2). Higher education was associated with higher BMD values in men (p < 0.05). There was a reduction in BMD in the age group 75-79 years of age in women and over 80 years of age in men (p < 0.05). Underweight was associated with significantly low BMD for both sexes (p < 0.01), while normal weight was associated with low BMD in women (p < 0.001). Discussion. The elderly with low schooling and in older age groups are more probable to also present low BMD. Lower levels of body mass index also indicated towards low BMD.

Comparação de medidas antropométricas de idosos residentes em área urbana no sul do Brasil, segundo sexo e faixa etária

OBJETIVO: Comparar o índice de massa corporal (IMC), dobra cutânea tricipital (DCT), perímetro do braço (PB), circunferência muscular do braço (CMB) e área muscular do braço em idosos (AMB), segundo sexo e faixa etária. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal realizado com idosos residentes na área urbana de Sarandi-PR, selecionados a partir dos setores censitários e domicílios. Os dados foram coletados no período de outubro de 2010 a março de 2011, com verificação de peso, estatura, PB e DCT e após, calculados IMC, CMB e AMB. Os valores obtidos apresentam-se sob a forma de média, desvio-padrão e percentil, com comparação entre os sexos e as faixas etárias. Na análise foram utilizados os testes Qui-quadrado, t Student, ANOVA e Tukey. Diferenças entre os valores médios foram consideradas significativas quando p<0,05. RESULTADOS: Os valores médios do IMC (28,80 x 27,26), DCT (20,93 x 12,52) e PB (31,92 x 30,90) foram significativamente maiores entre as mulheres, enquanto os homens apresentaram valores médios de CMB (26,97 x 25,35) significativamente maiores. A média da AMB também foi maior entre os homens (48,97 x 45,81), mas não de forma significativa. Os valores médios de todas as variáveis diminuíram com o avançar da idade nos dois sexos, com exceção da DCT nos homens. Observou-se, ainda, que a proporção de idosos com obesidade foi significativamente maior entre as mulheres (35,9% x 24,2%). CONCLUSÃO: Mulheres apresentaram valores médios maiores para a maioria das variáveis antropométricas analisadas. A diminuição nos valores dessas variáveis com o avançar da idade nos dois sexos, inclusive de forma mais acentuada nas mulheres, constitui indicativo da necessidade de monitoramento nutricional e de implementação de estratégias que evitem perdas patológicas na composição corporal de idosos.

Influência do estado nutricional na percepção da imagem corporal e autoestima de idosas

OBJETIVO: Verificar a relação entre o índice de massa corpórea, a autoestima e a autoimagem corporal de idosas participantes de grupos da terceira idade. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal por amostragem casual e assistemática. Participaram do estudo 50 idosas residentes no município de João Pessoa-PB. As variáveis pesquisadas foram: sexo, idade, estado civil, renda, escolaridade e índice de massa corpórea. A análise da percepção da imagem corporal foi realizada utilizando-se a escala de nove silhuetas (Sorensen & Stunkard). Para avaliar a autoestima, utilizou-se a Escala de Autoestima de Rosenberg. RESULTADOS: Não se observou significância estatística entre as variáveis estudadas. A média de idade das idosas foi 72,12 (6,14). O índice de massa corpórea apresentou média de 26,91 Kg/m², sendo verificado excesso de peso em 51,02%; a maior parte das idosas (90,60%) apresentou autoestima satisfatória, embora mais da metade (79,31%) delas se encontrasse acima do peso ideal; 87,50% estavam insatisfeitas com seu próprio corpo devido ao excesso de peso. CONCLUSÃO: Embora os dados não tenham mostrado significância estatística entre as variáveis, os resultados sugerem que, apesar de a maioria das idosas estar com excesso de peso, a autoestima apresentou nível satisfatório, enquanto a percepção da autoimagem corporal foi insatisfatória.

Prevalência de fatores de risco cardiovascular em idosos não institucionalizados

INTRODUÇÃO: Na medida em que mais pessoas vivem até a idade avançada, aumenta a prevalência de doenças em que a idade é fator de risco, como as doenças cardiovasculares. OBJETIVO: Descrever as prevalências de fatores de risco para doenças cardiovasculares em idosos não institucionalizados, conforme sexo e grupo etário. MÉTODO: Estudo transversal com amostra de conveniência composta por idosos não institucionalizados. Foram analisadas as variáveis hipertensão arterial, hipercolesterolemia, excesso de peso e adiposidade abdominal. Utilizou-se o teste Qui-quadrado para a análise das diferenças estatísticas. RESULTADOS: As prevalências de hipertensão arterial, hipercolesterolemia, excesso de peso e adiposidade abdominal foram, respectivamente, de 82,30% para idosas e 76,81% para idosos (p>0,05), 43,64% para idosas e 25,48% para idosos (p<0,05), 47,40% para idosas e 36,12% para idosos (p<0,05) e de 76,16% para idosas e 41,06% para idosos (p<0,05). A respeito das diferenças por grupo etário, identificou-se menor prevalência, somente para o excesso de peso, à medida que a idade avança. CONCLUSÃO: As idosas podem ser consideradas como grupo mais vulnerável para fatores de risco cardiovascular, pois tiveram maior número de medidas com valores acima do recomendado, bem como maior prevalência de hipertensão arterial, hipercolesterolemia, excesso de peso e adiposidade. Com relação ao grupo etário, identificou-se menor prevalência somente para o excesso de peso, à medida que a idade avança.

New values anthropometry for classification of nutritional status in the elderly

Anthropometry provides information on the physical status of the individual and can be associated with aspects of health including nutritional status. Currently, the stratification of the arm and calf circumferences is classified into only two situations: "malnourished" and "well-nourished". A total of 513 interviews were conducted, and 391 elderly people (≥ 65 years) completed the assessment using the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) and anthropometry of selected samples of the population of Cuiabá-MT. The body mass index (BMI, kg/m2) was calculated for the elderly people, establishing five new reference values for circumferences, arm relaxed (RAC), abdomen (AC), and calf (CC) in centimeters (cm). The median age was 71 years (64% women and 36% men) and was correlated to the RAC (r=-0.180, p<0.001) and CC (r=-0.202, pp<0.001). The BMI obtained the median of 27 (15% malnourished, risk of malnutrition 13%, eutrophic 24%; overweight 33%, obese 16%), and it was correlated to the RAC (r=0.798, pp<0.001), AC (r=0.823 p p<0.001) and CC (r=0.605, pp<0.001). The MNA was 26 (malnourished 13.8%, risk of malnutrition 12.3%, well-nourished, 73.9%). The BMI stratification by morbidity vs no morbidity was 27.50 (n=287) and 24.4 (n=104) to total sample respectively (pp<0,05). The RAC x AC (r=0.798, pp<0.001), RAC x CC (r=0.648, pp<0.001), and CC x AC (r=0.496, pp<0.001) were correlated between themselves. The eutrophic classification by circumference for both genders: RAC=27.1-29.00 cm, AC=88.1-95.00 cm, CC=32.60-33.00 cm. There are more overweight and obese than malnourished, which is a risk factor for morbidity and MNA only identifies malnutrition. Circumferences showed good association with BMI and are easy to apply. Therefore, the proposal of the circumferences can simplify and expand the nutritional assessment.

Association between oxidative stress and nutritional status in the elderly

Ageing is a dynamic and progressive process that is characterized by the occurrence of morphological, biochemical, functional and psychological changes in the organism. The aim of the present article is to provide updated concepts on oxidative stress, covering its importance in aging, as well as nutritional status and supplementation with antioxidants (substances that prevent or attenuate oxidation of oxidizable substrates, such as lipids, proteins, carbohydrates and deoxyribonucleic acid) in the geriatric population. Evidence suggests that there is an inverse relationship between oxidative stress and nutritional status in elderly individuals. Although an increase in oxidative stress in chronic diseases associated with aging has been proven, such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease, up to now there has been no consistent clinical evidence proving the efficiency of supplementation with antioxidants against oxidative stress. In this context, supplementation is not recommended. On the other hand, the elderly should be encouraged to eat antioxidant foods, such as fruits and vegetables. Maintaining a normal weight (body mass index between 23 and 28 Kg/m(2)) should also be stimulated.

Hemodynamic responses of unfit healthy women at a training session with nintendo wii: a possible impact on the general well-being

AIMS

The purpose of this study was assess the effect of a training session with Nintendo Wii® on the hemodynamic responses of healthy women not involved in regular physical exercise.

METHOD

Twenty-five healthy unfit women aged 28 ± 6 years played for 10 minutes the game Free Run (Wii Fit Plus). The resting heart rate (RHR), systolic and diastolic blood pressures (SBP and DBP), and double (rate-pressure) product (DP) were measured before and after activity. The HR during the activity (exercise heart rate, EHR) was measured every minute.

RESULTS

A statistically significant difference was observed between the RHR (75 ± 9 bpm) and the mean EHR (176 ± 15 bpm) (P < 0.001). The EHR remained in the target zone for aerobic exercise until the fifth minute of activity, which coincided with the upper limit of the aerobic zone (80% heart rate reserve (HRR) + RHR) from the sixth to tenth minute. The initial (110 ± 8 mmHg) and final (145 ± 17 mmHg) SBP (P < 0.01) were significantly different, as were the initial (71 ± 8 mmHg) and final (79 ± 9 mmHg) DBP (P < 0.01). A statistically significant difference was observed between the pre- (8.233 ± 1.141 bpm-mmHg) and post-activity (25.590 ± 4.117 bpm-mmHg) DP (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Physical exercise while playing Free Run sufficed to trigger acute hemodynamic changes in healthy women who were not engaged in regular physical exercise.

Polypharmacy, chronic diseases and nutritional markers in community-dwelling older

Polypharmacy is a common practice among the elderly, but few studies have evaluated its association with nutritional markers. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of polypharmacy and its association with nutritional markers, chronic diseases, sociodemographic and health variables. This research is part of the Study Elderly/Goiânia, which evaluated 418 elderly community in a cross-sectional design. Polypharmacy was defined as the use of five or more concomitant medications. The following nutritional markers were investigated: BMI, waist circumference, percentage body fat, weight gain and loss, use of diet, daily consumption of fruits, vegetables, skimmed and whole milk. Multivariate analysis was performed using hierarchical Poisson regression, with significance level set at 5%. The prevalence of polypharmacy was 28% (95%CI 23.1 - 32.5), with a significant association with feminine gender, age range 75 - 79 years, eutrophic nutritional status and obesity, use of diet, poor self-rated health and presence of two, three or more chronic diseases. The high prevalence of polypharmacy and its association with nutritional markers and chronic diseases call the attention for the need of nutritional surveillance and monitoring in the elderly.

[Overweight and abdominal obesity in adults in aquilombocommunity in Bahia State, Brazil]

This study analyzes nutritional status, estimates the prevalence of overweight and abdominal obesity, and investigates factors associated with these outcomes in a two-stage random sample of adults (> 20 years) in quilombos (communities that descend from African slaves) in Vitória da Conquista, Bahia State, Brazil, in 2011. Among 739 participants, prevalence rates were 31.8% and 10.2% for overweight and obesity, respectively, and 55.7% for increased waist-to-height ratio (> 0.50). Prevalence of overweight was higher among 30-39-year-olds, while abdominal obesity was more frequent among older individuals. Female sex, eating chicken or beef with untrimmed fat, and hypertension were associated with higher odds of overweight and abdominal obesity, while smoking and single marital status were associated with lower odds. The results show high prevalence rates for overweight and abdominal obesity in these very poor and socially isolated communities. Specific preventive and control measures are urgently needed.

[The profile of hospitalizations and associated factors among elderly users of the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS)]

This article seeks to establish the causes of hospitalizations among the elderly and identify the prevalence and associated factors. It is a cross-sectional study with 418 elderly users of SUS selected by multistage proportional sampling in the nine Sanitary Districts of Goiânia. Hospitalization was defined as a positive response to the question: "Were you hospitalized in the past year?" The independent variables were collected on a standardized questionnaire. Associations were explored through the prevalence ratio and the respective 95% CI. Multivariate analysis was conducted using hierarchical Poisson regression. The prevalence of hospitalizations was 24.4% and the major causes were circulatory (28.4%), respiratory (9.8%) and infectious and parasitic diseases (9.8%). In multivariate analysis, the following variables continued to be associated with hospitalizations: A/B economic class, reports of five or more diseases and weight loss. The results revealed a high prevalence of hospitalizations and that factors involved are mainly related to socioeconomic issues and health status, which demonstrates that it is necessary to monitor these cases in primary health care to prevent unnecessary hospitalization.

Satisfação com saúde bucal de idosos brasileiros: um estudo de gênero com modelo hierárquico

Os objetivos do presente estudo foram identificar as diferenças de gênero em relação aos fatores associados à satisfação com saúde bucal de idosos e estimar a prevalência de edentulismo por gênero e faixa etária. Foram incluídos 2.052 idosos com 60 anos e mais de idade, residentes em Sete Lagoas, Minas Gerais, Brasil. A regressão de Poisson foi utilizada para estimar a prevalência de edentulismo. A associação entre satisfação bucal e as variáveis independentes foi realizada por meio da regressão ordinal com modelo hierárquico multidimensional. A prevalência de edentulismo nos gêneros masculino e feminino foi de 63% e 68,8%, respectivamente. A maioria dos idosos do gênero masculino (63%) e feminino (57%) estava satisfeita com a saúde bucal. O modelo final ajustado, para ambos os gêneros, foi formado por variáveis referentes ao ambiente externo, comportamentos de saúde e condições de saúde bucal. Conclui-se que a satisfação com a saúde bucal é influenciada fortemente pelas condições de saúde bucal e por comportamentos de saúde, e que os fatores associados são diferentes para cada gênero.

Estado nutricional e autopercepção da imagem corporal de idosas de uma Universidade Aberta da Terceira Idade

O objetivo foi avaliar a associação entre o estado nutricional e a insatisfação da autoimagem corporal de idosas matriculadas no curso Alimentação, Nutrição e Terceira Idade da UnATI/UERJ. Realizou-se estudo seccional, com entrevista semiestruturada com todas as idosas (≥60 anos), obtendo-se informações referentes à percepção da imagem corporal (escala de nove silhuetas de Stunkard), indicadores socioeconômicos, de saúde, demográficos e cálculo do índice de massa corporal (IMC). Os dados foram analisados por meio de teste qui-quadrado e a regressão linear simples (nível de significância=5%). Verificou-se que 50,0% eram eutróficas; 6,0% se encontravam na categoria de baixo-peso e 44,0% apresentavam sobrepeso (p=0,425). Quanto à percepção da imagem corporal, 74,0% (n=37;p=0,0049) estavam insatisfeitas com o corpo, principalmente pelo excesso (89,2%). Das pessoas que manifestaram insatisfação por baixo-peso, a maioria era eutrófica. Já entre as insatisfeitas por excesso, 30,2% não apresentavam excesso de peso. As silhuetas 2 e 3 foram apontadas como ideais por metade das entrevistadas, ainda que a autopercepção de 62,0% das idosas tenham sido as silhuetas 4 e 5. A barriga e membros, principalmente inferiores, foram as partes do corpo que as idosas menos gostavam (78,0%). A classificação na escala das silhuetas da imagem real aumenta conforme aumenta o IMC (p<0,001). Em relação à imagem ideal ocorre o oposto (p<0,001). Indivíduos com IMC elevado tendem a ser mais insatisfeitos com sua imagem corporal e essa insatisfação pode estar relacionada ao excesso de peso. Esse fato merece mais aprofundamento sobre os determinantes e os significados desta insatisfação na complexa relação corpo, beleza, saúde e envelhecimento.

Estado nutricional e prevalência de doenças crônicas em idosos de um município do interior do Rio Grande do Sul

OBJETIVO: Verificar os fatores de risco que interferem no estado nutricional dos idosos socialmente ativos de um município do interior do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul. MÉTODOS: Estudo do tipo transversal, do qual participaram voluntariamente 284 idosos. Foi aplicado questionário individual estruturado contendo questões relativas aos hábitos alimentares e foram coletados os dados antropométricos (peso, altura, circunferência da cintura). RESULTADOS: 60,3% dos homens e 62,5% das mulheres estavam com sobrepeso. Com base na avaliação da circunferência da cintura, verificou-se um risco muito aumentado para o desenvolvimento de doenças cardiovasculares em 98,5% dos homens e 92,5% das mulheres. A maioria das mulheres (56,9%) informou usar algum medicamento contínuo, enquanto que entre os homens (52,5%), a maioria respondeu não consumir nenhum medicamento. Não se observou diferença significativa entre os diferentes estados nutricionais e os hábitos alimentares investigados. Entre os casados, o sobrepeso foi encontrado em 47,1% dos homens e em 35,6% das mulheres. CONCLUSÃO: A maioria da população idosa estudada apresentou sobrepeso e circunferência da cintura elevada entre homens e mulheres. Não se observou associação entre o estado nutricional e o número de refeições, ingestão de água, consumo diário de frutas e verduras, tipo de leite ingerido, consumo semanal de carnes, doces, frituras e leguminosas.

Fatores de risco para doenças cardiovasculares em idosos de um município do interior de Minas Gerais

Esta pesquisa objetivou descrever as características sociodemográficas dos idosos de um município de pequeno porte, identificar a prevalência dos fatores de risco cardiovascular e compará-los entre os sexos e as faixas etárias. Tratou-se de um estudo de prevalência, constituído por 134 idosos. A coleta de dados foi realizada de abril a junho/2009 por meio de entrevista e aferição de dados antropométricos. Para análise utilizou-se frequência simples e teste de qui-quadrado (p<0,05). Entre os idosos, 50% tinham de 60├70 anos, 57,5% sexo feminino e 58,2% casados. Os fatores de risco cardiovascular mais prevalentes foram: circunferência abdominal aumentada (77,6%), hipertensão arterial (67,2%) e sedentarismo (59,7%). O sedentarismo (p=0,012) e a circunferência abdominal aumentada (p<0,001) apresentaram maior proporção entre as mulheres idosas.

Prevalência de obesidade associada à ingestão calórica, glicemia e perfil lipídico em uma amostra populacional de idosos do Sul do Brasil

OBJETIVO: Determinar a prevalência de obesidade associada ao consumo de macronutrientes, às alterações do perfil lipídico, à glicemia e à prática de atividade física em idosos. MÉTODOS: Foi realizado estudo transversal com 304 idosos do município de Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil. Medidas antropométricas de peso e altura foram utilizadas para o cálculo do índice de massa corporal (IMC) e foram analisados o perfil lipídico, a glicemia, a ingestão diária de macronutrientes e a prática de atividade física. RESULTADOS: A prevalência de obesidade foi de 30,6%, sofrendo redução com o aumento da idade. As idosas obesas apresentaram maior frequência de hipertrigliceridemia, cujos valores aumentaram conforme o aumento do IMC. Nesse grupo, a prática de atividade física foi menor. Entre os homens, houve maior consumo de proteína na dieta. CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados mostraram que a obesidade é um importante problema de saúde na Região Sul do Brasil, sofrendo influência de fatores socioculturais e econômicos que prejudicam a manutenção de uma alimentação saudável. Políticas públicas devem ser direcionadas a fim de controlar esse problema, já que a obesidade é um fator limitante para a longevidade.

Prevalência e fatores associados à hipertensão arterial em idosos de municípios da Amazônia Legal, MT

Este estudo teve como objetivo analisar as características epidemiológicas da hipertensão arterial e os fatores associados na população idosa residente nos municípios da Amazônia Legal no Estado de Mato Grosso - Alta Floresta, Sinop, Sorriso e Diamantino. Trata-se de estudo transversal, de base populacional, realizado por meio de inquérito domiciliar com 312 idosos. A amostra da pesquisa foi obtida por amostragem complexa. Consideraram-se hipertensos aqueles que apresentaram pressão arterial >140/90mmHg e/ou que referiram uso de medicação anti-hipertensiva. A análise de regressão de Poisson foi utilizada para testar a associação entre a hipertensão e as variáveis independentes. A prevalência da hipertensão foi de 67,4%. As variáveis associadas à hipertensão nos homens foram situação conjugal (p=0,012) e índice de massa corporal (p=0,025). Já entre as mulheres, foram faixa etária (p=0,026), tabagismo (p=0,030) e índice de massa corporal (p=0,034). Entre os idosos, observou-se que 78,3% tinham conhecimento de sua condição de hipertenso; destes, 97,7% estavam em tratamento. Entre os que estavam em tratamento, apenas 43,7% apresentavam sua pressão arterial controlada. A alta prevalência da hipertensão, a associação a fatores de risco cardiovascular, assim como o baixo percentual de idosos com pressão arterial controlada, reforçam a necessidade de implementar políticas públicas, visando a ações de prevenção, controle e promoção da saúde da população idosa.

Avaliação antropométrica em idosos: estimativas de peso e altura e concordância entre classificações de IMC

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a concordância entre diferentes classificações de Índice de Massa Corporal (IMC) e verificar modelos de fórmulas propostas para estimativa de peso e altura que podem ser aplicadas na população idosa do Sul do Brasil. MÉTODO: Estudo transversal que avaliou 131 idosos residentes de três instituições de longa permanência para idosos (ILPIs) no Sul do Brasil, por meio de uma avaliação antropométrica, utilizando peso, estatura, altura do joelho, dobra cutânea subescapular, circunferência da panturrilha, circunferência do braço, circunferência abdominal e hemienvergadura. RESULTADOS: A idade média da amostra foi de 78,9 anos, sendo 41,2% homens e 58,8% mulheres. De acordo com a classificação da Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS), apenas dois idosos (1,5%) apresentaram baixo-peso, 63 idosos (48,1%) foram classificados como eutróficos e 66 (50,4%) foram classificados com sobrepeso, obesidade grau I e II. Já os pontos de corte estipulados por Lipschitz determinaram que 21 idosos (16%) se encontram com baixo-peso, 69 (52,7%) eutróficos e 41 (31,3%) com sobrepeso. Ao comparar as medidas de peso e altura aferidas com as mesmas medidas estimadas, percebe-se que a única que não mostrou diferença significativa foi a fórmula de estimativa de altura de Rabito. CONCLUSÃO: Os pontos de corte utilizados apresentaram moderada concordância, sendo que Lipschitz salienta uma maior faixa de risco para desnutrição. Comparando as medidas de peso e altura aferidas com as medidas estimadas, foi observado que somente a fórmula de estimativa de altura de Rabito pode ser aplicada para esta população.

Nutritional status in the oldest elderly and associated factors

OBJECTIVE

To verify factors associated with nutritional status in an oldest elderly communitydwelling population in Southern Brazil.

METHODS

This cross-sectional epidemiological and household-based study involved all subjects (n = 134) aged > 80 years who were living in Antônio Carlos (Santa Catarina state, Brazil). Nutritional status was assessed by body mass index (BMI < 22.0 kg/m², underweight; BMI > 27.0 kg/m², overweight). Explanatory variables in the study were: gender (women/ men), literacy (knows how to write and read - yes/no), living conditions (lives alone/with company), cognitive function (normal/altered), eating difficulty (yes/no), medication use (none to two/three or more), morbidity (none to two/three or more diseases), alimentary pattern (adequate/inadequate), alcohol consumption (none to one day a week, two or more days a week), cigarette smoking (never/current or former smoker), physical activity level (< 150 min/week; > 150 min/week), and sitting time (< 4 hours/day; > 4 hours but < 6 hours/ day; > 6 hours/day).

RESULTS

Prevalence of underweight was 27.3% in men and 12.8% in women (p < 0.01), and was positively associated with altered cognitive function (OR: 3.52) and inversely related with greater medication use (OR: 0.34). Overweight affected 25.5% of men and 53.8% of women. It was negatively associated with illiteracy (OR: 0.12) and positively associated with female gender (OR: 2.58).

CONCLUSION

There are differences between men and women regarding nutritional status. The factors associated to nutritional status of the oldest elderly from Antônio Carlos are specific to the vulnerability condition (underweight and overweight).

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

Investigaram-se as prevalências de baixo peso e excesso de peso, bem como os fatores associados em idosos. Trata-se de um estudo transversal, com 621 idosos residentes no Município de Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brasil, realizado em 2009. As informações foram obtidas por meio de entrevistas domiciliares e se referiam à avaliação do estado nutricional, condições sociodemográficas e de saúde. Do total de pessoas estudadas, 53,3% eram do gênero feminino. A mediana do IMC foi de 26,40kg/m² (mínima 15,20 e máxima 46,82) e foi menor para os homens do que para as mulheres. A prevalência de excesso de peso foi elevada (45%; IC95%: 40%-49%), diminuiu com a idade, associou-se positivamente ao gênero feminino e história de artrite/artrose, e negativamente à faixa etária de 80 anos ou mais e ao tabagismo. A prevalência de baixo peso foi maior no gênero masculino (18,2%), aumentou com o avanço da idade e associou-se positivamente à pior percepção de saúde. O conjunto dos resultados salientam a importância de estratégias em saúde que favoreçam mudanças no estilo de vida e hábitos alimentares saudáveis.

Obesidade em idosos acompanhados pela estratégia de saúde da família

A obesidade eleva as taxas de morbimortalidade, sendo um problema de saúde pública. Realizou-se estudo transversal com 123 participantes, objetivando identificar a proporção de casos e os fatores de risco para o sobrepeso/obesidade entre idosos com sessenta anos ou mais, atendidos por quatro equipes de Estratégia de Saúde da Família, de Passo Fundo-RS. Considerou-se variável dependente a obesidade e as demais como independentes: sexo, idade, renda familiar, escolaridade, ocupação, atividade física, tabagismo, medicação. As medidas antropométricas aferidas foram: peso, estatura, circunferência da cintura, quadril e cervical. Realizou-se análise bivariada usando o teste qui-quadrado de Pearson com um nível de significância <0,05. No modelo múltiplo permaneceram associadas à obesidade do idoso, a circunferência abdominal (p=0,000) e a circunferência cervical (p=0,000). No grupo estudado, sobrepeso/obesidade atingiu uma proporção de 49,6%. Os resultados indicam alta prevalência de sobrepeso/obesidade, reforçando a necessidade de estratégias por parte dos profissionais de saúde, visando bem-estar e longevidade.

Fatores associados à autoavaliação de saúde ruim em idosos usuários do Sistema Único de Saúde

Foram investigados a prevalência e os fatores associados à autoavaliação do estado de saúde ruim em idosos usuários do SUS, em Goiânia, Goiás, Brasil. Estudo transversal, com amostra de idosos proporcional aos nove Distritos Sanitários de Goiânia. Os dados foram coletados após estudo piloto e treinamento da equipe de campo. A medida de associação foi a razão de prevalência (RP) e respectivos intervalos de 95% de confiança (IC95%). Realizou-se análise multivariada por regressão de Poisson hierarquizada. Em 403 idosos, a prevalência de autoavaliação do estado de saúde ruim foi de 27,5% (IC95%: 23,2-32,2), sendo 29,7% nas mulheres e 29,1% entre idosos com 60-64 anos de idade. As variáveis associadas após análise multivariada foram: ter menos de 1 ano de estudo, não praticar atividade física, uso de 5 ou mais medicamentos e perda de peso recente. Os resultados demonstraram elevada prevalência de autoavaliação de saúde ruim, e os fatores associados compreendem desde as condições sociais do idoso até as suas condições de saúde e estilo de vida.

Influência do fortalecimento abdominal na função perineal, associado ou não à orientação de contração do assoalho pélvico, em nulíparas

OBJETIVO: Verificar se o fortalecimento abdominal promove influência na musculatura do assoalho pélvico feminino. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Caracterizou-se como um ensaio clínico, realizado com 21 nulíparas, com idade média de 21,7 anos, divididas por conveniência em dois grupos: A (n = 10) - com orientação de contração perineal simultânea à contração abdominal e B (n = 11) - sem orientação de contração perineal. As participantes foram submetidas à avaliação ginecológica e abdominal pré e pós-intervenção por meio de: avaliação funcional do assoalho pélvico (AFA), cones vaginais, perineometria, teste de flexão anterior de tronco, descida de membros inferiores, força de oblíquos e endurance abdominal. O protocolo de fortalecimento abdominal continha três exercícios distintos, associados ou não à contração perineal, com três séries de dez repetições e repouso de 60 segundos, três vezes por semana, em um período de seis semanas. Para a análise estatística foi aplicado o teste t de Student e ANOVA. RESULTADOS: A comparação entre os valores iniciais e finais demonstrou diferenças significativas entre os dois grupos na avaliação do períneo, somente no teste com cones (p = 0,00) e na perineometria (resistência/pressão) (p = 0,03), indicando piora das variáveis no grupo B. Já na avaliação abdominal, o grupo A apresentou resultado significativo em três testes (descida de membros inferiores: p = 0,03, endurance: p = 0,03 e endurance modificado: p = 0,00) comparando-se a somente um do grupo B (endurance: p = 0,01). CONCLUSÕES: Sugere-se que a associação de exercícios de fortalecimento abdominal com o perineal pode potencializar o ganho de força e a função desses grupos musculares, e a falta dessa associação pode prejudicar a funcionalidade do assoalho pélvico.

Body weight as an indicator of fat-free mass in active elderly women

OBJECTIVE

Fat-free mass (FFM) reduction and the tendency for a reduction in surrounding fatty issue and increase in the middle are a natural consequence of growing old and should be studied in order to gain a better understanding of the aging process. This study set out to find the FFM differences between active elderly women in two age groups (60-69 and 70-80 years) and to determine which of the anthropometric measurements, body weight (BW), abdominal circumference (AC), or body mass index (BMI) are the best predictors of FFM variation within the group.

METHODS

Eighty-one (n=81) active elderly women of the Third Age willingly signed up to participate in the research during the activities at the University of the Third Age (UTA) in Brazil. The research was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Medical Sciences of the State University of Campinas (UNICAMP). Body weight (BW), height (H) and the BMI were measured according to the international standards. The AC was measured in centimetres at the H of the navel and body composition was ascertained using bioimpedance analysis. The SAS program was used to perform the statistical analysis of independent samples and parametric data.

RESULTS

The results showed FFM values with significant differences between the two groups, with the lowest values occurring among the women who were over 70 years of age. In the analysis, the Pearson's Correlation Coefficient for each measured independent variable was ascertained, with the BW measurement showing the highest ratio (0.900).

CONCLUSIONS

The BW measurement was regarded as reliable, low-cost and easy to use for monitoring FFM in elderly women who engage in physical activities.

Sensitivity and specificity of the body mass index for the diagnosis of overweight/obesity in elderly

The aim of this article was to verify the sensitivity and specificity of the body mass index (BMI) cut-off points proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Nutrition Screening Initiative (NSI) for the diagnosis of obesity in the elderly. A cross-sectional study was made with 180 healthy elderly subjects from Florianópolis, Santa Catarina State, Brazil. Body fat percentage (%BF) was determined using DEXA (dual energy X-ray absorptiometry). The BMI cut-off point of the NSI offers better sensitivity and specificity for men (73.7% and 72.5% respectively). For women, the lower the cut-off point the better the sensitivity, with a BMI of 25kg/m² (sensitivity of 76.3% and specificity of 100%) being the most accurate for diagnosing obesity in elderly women. The WHO cut-off point offered very low sensitivity (28.9%). The results of this investigation lead to the conclusion that the cut-off points proposed by the WHO and the ones adopted by the NSI and by Lipschitz are not good indicators of obesity for the elderly of either sex, since they offer low sensitivity.