journal articles
UNDERNUTRITION IN VERY ELDERLY PEOPLE: ASSESSMENT USING DIFFERENT ANTHROPOMETRIC INDICATORS
D. Fares, A.L. Danielewicz, K.C. Garcia, L.S. Ferreira, A.R. Barbosa
J Aging Res Clin Practice 2012;1(1):88-92
Objective: To verify the prevalence of undernutrition among very elderly persons in the municipal area of Antônio Carlos, Santa Catarina, using different anthropometric indicators. Methods: Cross-sectional study carried out with 133 elderly persons (78 women) ≥ 80 years of age. The anthropometric indicators assessed were TSF (≤ 15 mm, women and ≤ 8 mm, men), AC (≤ 26 cm, women and ≤ 25 cm, men) AMA (≤ 32.76 cm2, women and ≤ 37.16 cm2, men), CC (≤ 31 cm, women and men) and BMI (≤ 22.4 kg/m2, women and ≤ 21.1 kg/m2, men), according to gender and age group. Results: BMI, AC, TSF were higher (p < 0.05) in the youngest as compared to eldest elderly women. Mean BMI, AC and TSF was higher (p < 0.05) in women compared to men (80-89 age group and total elderly). Mean AMA was lower in the oldest than in the youngest individuals (p < 0.05) and was greater (p < 0.05) in men than in women. The prevalence of undernutrition varied according to the indicator used. AMA was the anthropometric indictor that identified the highest prevalence (63.8%) of men and women (55%) suffering with undernutrition. Conclusion: The very elderly people of Antônio Carlos have a vulnerable nutritional status, both in relation to muscle reserve and fat reserve, with differences according to gender and age group.