Abstract
ABSTRACTObjective:To define the nutritional profile of institutionalized elderly individuals.Methods:Comparative correlation and quantitative field study conducted in a Long-Stay Institution in Sao Paulo (SP), Brazil, between December 2010 and January 2012. To define nutritional diagnosis, data were collected from patient files, such as body mass index, circumferences, triceps skinfold, muscle area of the arm, thickness of the adductor pollicis, handgrip strength, and biochemical test results. The anthropometric variables were presented as mean, standard deviation, and percentages, and were grouped by gender and stratified by age. The level of statistical significance was p<0.05.Results:One hundred and two elderly individuals were selected, and 84 were females. Excess weight was the most common anthropometric diagnosis in men (n=11; 61%), with the detection of protein depletion in those aged 70 years, and possible cases of sarcopenic obesity. All women were in good health conditions (n=84; 100%). However, in 27% (n=23) of them, protein depletion was evident.Conclusion:More anthropometric studies are necessary which would allow a definition of local reference standards, stratified by gender and age group. The difference between populations and factors, such as inclusion and exclusion criteria, and methodological characteristics, limit the use of international standards, interfering in the reliability of the nutritional diagnosis.
Highlights
The increase in the elderly population is a universal phenomenon
The results point to the need for other national anthropometric studies that allow a definition of einstein. 2013;11(1):32-40 reference standards directed at Brazilian elderly individuals, stratified by gender and by age range, since besides the difference between populations, some factors, such as inclusion and exclusion criteria and methodological characteristics limit the use of international standards and interfere in reliability of nutritional diagnosis
Malnutrition in institutionalized elderly persons is a highly important topic in healthcare, and the present study presented the data from a Brazilian sample
Summary
The increase in the elderly population is a universal phenomenon. Currently, in Brazil, the number of individuals aged 60 years or more, corresponds to 18 million, representing 12% of the total population, i.e., almost 5% more than that observed in the 2001 Census, which showed 7.3%. An increase of the population 80 years of age and older has been observed, which today represents 3 million of the total number of elderly persons in the country[1]. Together with this scenario, changes in family structure and society dynamics which have occurred ever more frequently, with a growing insertion of women einstein. The lack of early diagnosis of malnutrition in the elderly may be reflected in deterioration of health and increased risk of mortality[4] In this way, nutritional evaluation may help professionals in treating for recovery and promotion of health in the elderly[4]. Anthropometric studies commonly use the parameters of body mass index (BMI), circumferences of the arm (AC) and of the calf (CC), circumference and muscular area of the arm (AMC and AMA), where values are evaluated as per international reference standards, such as those by Burr and Phillips[5]
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