Resumen

FREITAS, Angélica M de Pina; PHILIPPI, Sonia Tucunduva  y  RIBEIRO, Sandra Maria Lima. Food lists from the diet of a group of elderly individuals: analysis and perspectives. Rev. bras. epidemiol. [online]. 2011, vol.14, n.1, pp. 161-177. ISSN 1415-790X.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1415-790X2011000100015.

BACKGROUND: Despite the phenomena of population aging, Brazilian studies related to the feeding practices of elderly individuals are scarce. AIMS: To develop a list of the most ingested foods from community-dwelling elderly persons in the east-zone of São Paulo- Brazil and to analyse the foods that contribute most to relevant health-related nutrients of these individuals. METHODS: The study was performed with 100 individuals aged 60 years and above, registered at a local reference center. To describe the nutritional status, the weight and stature were measured and the BMI- body mass index was calculated. To develop the food lists, two 24h food recalls were applied, during two different seasons of the year. The food recalls were analysed for food intake frequency and for percentage contribution of each food and each nutrient: energy, macronutrients, calcium and vitamin D. RESULTS: The participants were classified as following: 52% with BMI < 28 kg/m²; 15% with BMI between 28 and 30 kg/m²; 26% between 30 and 35 kg/m² and 7% presented BMI> 35 kg/m². The positive aspects related to food intake were rice, bean and green vegetable consumption. As negative aspects, we observed that the diet pattern was repetitive, since few foods contributed to a high number of nutrients. Furthermore, a high ingestion of refined carbohydrates was observed instead of whole foods. CONCLUSION: The food lists allowed reflecting on educative interventions, and also allow future development of different food frequency questionnaires that are specific for this group.

Palabras llave : Elderly; Diet; Nutrition assessment; Food list; Food records; Food frequency questionnaire.