Association of Food Consumption According to the Degree of Processing and Sociodemographic Conditions in Older Adults

Several factors can impact food consumption in older adults, including those of sociodemographic, physiological, and chronic non-communicable diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the association of food consumption according to its degree of processing with sociodemographic conditions in community-dwelling older adults. Food intake was evaluated from 24-h recall data. All food items were classified according to the degree of processing into four groups as follows: in natura or minimally processed, culinary ingredients, processed, and ultra-processed foods. Food groups were considered dependent variables in a quantile regression model, adjusting for sex, age, schooling, ethnicity, and number of residents. Women and individuals with higher levels of education had lower consumption of in natura or minimally processed foods and higher consumption of ultra-processed foods. The yellow or indigenous ethnicity presented the lowest consumption of processed foods; older people who lived with three or more individuals had the highest consumption of culinary ingredients, whereas the older people who lived with one to two people had the highest consumption of processed foods and the lowest consumption of ultra-processed. These groups may be the target of educational and public policies to improve diet quality and contribute to quality of life in older ages.

Factors associated with added sugar consumption of older adults from the region of Campinas-SP, Brazil

Adequate nutrition has a profound impact on older adults' health. Therefore, special attention should be given to the dietetic intake of added sugars, which in excess is associated with poorer control of chronic diseases in this phase. The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of consumption of added sugars in older adults in the Campinas-SP region, its associated factors, and its main dietary sources. A cross-sectional study was conducted in the region of Campinas-SP, with a convenience sample of 586 older individuals. Intake was obtained using two 24-hour food recalls, and values >5% of total energy consumption were considered inadequate. The contribution of the groups and foods in relation to the total content of sugars was also calculated. A critical level of p<0.05 was considered. The average intake of added sugars was higher than recommended (7.0%), and this inadequacy was observed in more than half of the sample, being table sugar and honey the main dietary sources. The prevalence of inadequate consumption was higher among women (69.8%; p=0.004) and individuals with low weight (83.7%; p=0.014), and lower in those with diabetes (47.8%; p<0.001). Results indicate that health and nutrition actions should be developed to ensure adequate sugar intake at this stage.

Association between zinc deficiency and cognitive decline in community-dwelling older adults

This is a cross-sectional study evaluating the association between zinc deficiency and cognitive decline in 591 community-dwelling older adults living in the cities of Campinas, Limeira, and Piracicaba-SP. Cognitive status was evaluated using the Cognitive Abilities Screening Instrument-CASI-S, considering a decline for scores <23 for those aged 60-69 and <20 for those aged ≥70 years. Among the evaluated cognitive domains, older adults with zinc deficiency had significantly lower mean scores on the memory test (p=0.018). For zinc deficiency, values below 70 µg/dL were considered for women and 74 µg/dL for men. The prevalence of zinc deficiency was 3.9%, and cognitive deficit was 9.4%, being significantly higher in those with zinc deficiency compared with those with normal serum zinc concentrations. In adjusted multiple logistic regression analysis, the factors that remained associated with cognitive decline were zinc deficiency (OR=3.80; 95%CI=1.30-11.12), low schooling level (OR=3.12; 95%CI=1.49-6.50), lack of a partner (OR=1.88; 95%CI=1.04-3.42), risk of malnutrition (OR=3.98; 95%CI=2.36-6.71), and a history of encephalic vascular accident (OR=2.70; 95%CI=1.04-6.98). Zinc deficiency was associated with the presence of cognitive decline in older adults. Actions in primary health care are necessary to prevent the deficiency of this nutrient.

Insuficiência de vitamina D e fatores associados: um estudo com idosos assistidos por serviços de atenção básica à saúde

Resumo O objetivo deste artigo é analisar a insuficiência de vitamina D e fatores associados em idosos assistidos na atenção primária à saúde. Trata-se de um estudo transversal que avaliou 533 idosos (≥ 60 anos) em três cidades do estado de São Paulo, Brasil. Foi avaliada a 25-hidroxivitamina D (25 OH D) sérica por quimioluminescência. Os fatores avaliados foram condições sociodemográficas (sexo, faixa etária, etnia, escolaridade, renda, estado civil), de saúde (doenças referidas), composição corporal (IMC, circunferência da cintura), estilo de vida (atividade física e tabagismo) e exposição solar (finalidade, duração, frequência e horário de exposição, partes expostas, uso de protetor solar, tipo de pele). A prevalência de insuficiência foi de 64,5%, com associação para sexo feminino, etnia não brancos/não declarados, baixo peso, circunferência da cintura elevada (risco para DCV) e inatividade física. Houve associação negativa para exposição solar habitual de mãos, braços e pernas, durante atividade de lazer, deslocamentos diários e atividade física e entre as 9h e 15h. Os achados mostram a relevância de fatores como sexo, etnia, composição corporal, atividade física e hábitos de exposição solar na alta prevalência de níveis inadequados de vitamina D em idosos.

Association between zinc deficiency and cognitive decline in community-dwelling older adults

Abstract This is a cross-sectional study evaluating the association between zinc deficiency and cognitive decline in 591 community-dwelling older adults living in the cities of Campinas, Limeira, and Piracicaba-SP. Cognitive status was evaluated using the Cognitive Abilities Screening Instrument-CASI-S, considering a decline for scores <23 for those aged 60-69 and <20 for those aged ≥70 years. Among the evaluated cognitive domains, older adults with zinc deficiency had significantly lower mean scores on the memory test (p=0.018). For zinc deficiency, values below 70 µg/dL were considered for women and 74 µg/dL for men. The prevalence of zinc deficiency was 3.9%, and cognitive deficit was 9.4%, being significantly higher in those with zinc deficiency compared with those with normal serum zinc concentrations. In adjusted multiple logistic regression analysis, the factors that remained associated with cognitive decline were zinc deficiency (OR=3.80; 95%CI=1.30-11.12), low schooling level (OR=3.12; 95%CI=1.49-6.50), lack of a partner (OR=1.88; 95%CI=1.04-3.42), risk of malnutrition (OR=3.98; 95%CI=2.36-6.71), and a history of encephalic vascular accident (OR=2.70; 95%CI=1.04-6.98). Zinc deficiency was associated with the presence of cognitive decline in older adults. Actions in primary health care are necessary to prevent the deficiency of this nutrient.

[Low intake of dietary fibers among the elderly: 2014/2015 ISACAMP population-based study]

The scope of this article is to evaluate the prevalence of inadequate dietary fiber intake and associated factors among elderly adults. A cross-sectional population-based study evaluating participants from the Health Survey of the City of Campinas (ISACAMP) was conducted in 2014/2015, with 1,074 elderly individuals (≥60 years). Dietary fiber intake was obtained using a 24-hour recall, and the prevalence of inadequate fibers was estimated according to the cut-off point of the Institute of Medicine (30 g/day for men and 21 g/day for women). The factors evaluated were sociodemographic conditions (sex, age, schooling, income, marital status), health (number of reported diseases) and lifestyle (physical activity, smoking and alcohol consumption). The prevalence of inadequate dietary fiber intake was 86.6%, being higher in men (RP=1.10), single or divorced (RP=1.09) and physically inactive (PR=1.07). Elderly adults with higher incomes and who reported having 1 to 2 chronic non-communicable diseases had a higher intake of fibers. The high prevalence of inadequate dietary fiber intake in the elderly adults indicates that health and nutrition actions should be developed to ensure adequate dietary intake of these compounds.

Elevada prevalência de inadequação do consumo de fibras alimentares em idosos e fatores associados: um estudo de base populacional

RESUMO: Introdução: Vários fatores podem gerar mudanças nas práticas alimentares dos idosos, contribuindo para que as recomendações nutricionais não sejam atendidas. Objetivo: Estimar a prevalência de inadequação do consumo de fibras alimentares e seus fatores associados. Metodologia: Estudo transversal de base populacional que utilizou dados do Inquérito de Saúde no Município de Campinas, realizado em 2008/2009, no qual foram analisados 1.509 indivíduos ≥ 60 anos. O consumo alimentar foi estimado por meio do recordatório de 24 horas, e foi calculada a prevalência de inadequação de acordo com o ponto de corte para fibras totais do Institute of Medicine de 30 g/dia para homens e 21 g/dia para mulheres. Os fatores associados foram identificados utilizando modelo hierárquico de regressão de Poisson para estimativa das razões de prevalência, ajustados por variáveis de bloco distal (sociodemográficos) e bloco proximal (condições de saúde e indicadores de estilo de vida). Resultados: A inadequação do consumo de fibras alimentares foi observada em 90,1% da população, significantemente maior no sexo masculino (RP = 1,06), em idosos com parceiro (RP = 1,05), de menor renda (RP = 0,95), inativos fisicamente (RP = 1,05) e naqueles que não gostariam de mudar o peso corporal (RP = 1,05). Conclusão: Considerando que a inadequação de fibras alimentares foi muito elevada, toda a população de 60 anos ou mais deve ser alvo de intervenção nutricional para garantir o aporte adequado desse nutriente.