Abstract
ABSTRACT Purpose: to describe the changes in the body composition and swallowing of an older-people group from a community-based speech therapy and nutrition program. Methods: a pre-experimental study of a single group was carried out, with prospective timing and pre-post evaluation for three months. The Body Mass Index (BMI), percentage of body fat (%BF), percentage of muscle mass (%MM), percentage of visceral fat (%VF), swallowing performance, and Swallowing Quality of Life (Swall-QoL) were evaluated. The Spearman correlation coefficient and the Mann-Whitney U test were used, significance level p<0.05. Results: 13 older people participated in the study. The average age of the group was 73.8 years (SD= 4.6). The BMI (pre=28.17; post=28.38), %BF (pre=38.5; post=38.7), %MM (pre=24.8; post=24.9) and %VF (pre=14.3; post=14.8) did not present significant differences (p>0.05). The scores obtained in the deglutition test was pre=19.15 and post=18.9. An association between BMI and VF (Rho=0.74; p=0.02) was detected. Conclusion: the program represented a community-based instance of health promotion focus on oral feeding of older people.
Highlights
Aging represents a social phenomenon[1] characterized by anatomical, physiological changes that increase the susceptibility of the elderly to risk factors that can affect their health[2]
The group of older people was evaluated by professional speech therapists and nutritionists-dieticians, identifying a total of 13 subjects that made up the final sample
The body composition, nutritional status, and swallowing in older people are relevant health dimensions to address for the identification, screening, and prompt treatment of aging-related symptoms and the possible effects these may have on the well-being and quality of life of this population[23]
Summary
Aging represents a social phenomenon[1] characterized by anatomical, physiological changes that increase the susceptibility of the elderly to risk factors that can affect their health[2]. As of 2013, there were 2,855,157 people over 60 years old[3] in Chile, and this number seems to be increasing as a result of the growing life expectancy of this population[4]. Older people notice a generalized deterioration of systems that can affect functions such as food intake, an act that, if compromised, can be life-threatening[6]. Physiological changes in the body composition happen, which can impair swallowing[9], resulting in an increased risk for the development of swallowing disorders[10] Swallowing is a complex process that involves voluntary and reflex behaviors, its purpose is to move food from the mouth to the stomach[7], and it is a relevant activity for the maintenance of life[8].
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