Condiciones sociodemográficas ambientales asociadas a perfiles de salud-alimentación entre personas adultas mayores, Córdoba-Argentina

Abstract

IntroductionDemographic trends indicate that population aging is not exclusive to developed countries. Argentina reaches 15.5% of the elderly population. The Covid-19 pandemic has brought to the forefront the public health situation of this population, challenging health systems, with disproportionate impacts on this group, which has suffered more than 80% of the deaths in the country, mainly in those with comorbidities. ObjectiveTo analyze the sociodemographic and environmental conditions involved in the process of development of health and nutrition profiles of the elderly people of Córdoba, Argentina 2020. MethodologyEpidemiological, cross-sectional, population-based study that included 221 elderly people (≥60 years old), through random sampling. Data on sociodemographic and environmental conditions, health and dietary profiles were collected through structured interviews. ResultsThe average age of the participants was 68 years. Eighty-five percent recognized neighborhood contamination, 38% of them being garbage dumps close to their homes. Eighty-nine percent reported at least one non-communicable disease (NCD) or associated risk factor and 66% were overweight (BMI≥25kg/m2). The presence of obesity (BMI≥30kg/m2) was associated (OR=2.05; CI 1.007–3.922) with the development of NCDs. Only 4% of the population complied with the daily fruit and vegetable consumption recommendation. ConclusionThe predominant characteristics of the health and dietary profiles associated with NCDs identified suggest the need to study in depth the social determinants that condition the aging process.