Evaluation of nutritional status and body composition of elderly from Embu-Guacu-SP/ AVALIACAO DO ESTADO NUTRICIONAL E COMPOSICAO CORPORAL DE IDOSOS DE EMBU-GUACU-SP

Introduction and Objective: Changes due to aging interfere with nutritional status of the elderly, increasing the risk of chronic diseases. The objective of this study was to evaluate the nutritional status of elderly from Embu-Guacu-SP and characterize this population according to sociodemographic variables, body composition and food consumption. Materials and Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study with a sample of 40 elderly people of both sexes submitted to a nutritional risk assessment (reduced MNA), anthropometric (weight and height), body composition (bio impedance) and food consumption (3-day record). Results: The mean age of participants was 68.8 [+ or -] 5.7. None of the elderly presented risk of malnutrition. 66% of women and 62.5% of men were classified as being overweight (BMI), but all had excess body fat. The elderly who consumed less than 1g of protein/kg of body weight showed lower energy consumption (kcal), lower carbohydrate consumption (in relation to body weight), protein (kcal, grams, % and relative to body weight) and lipids (kcal and in relation to body weight), but higher BMI, % fat and proportion of dietary carbohydrate. Discussion: Despite a low energy consumption, the percentage of excessive weight in the sample was high. Older people with low socioeconomic status are more prone to a poor diet, with tendency to increase the prevalence of overweight, obesity and chronic diseases. Conclusion: The elderly evaluated were overweight and had a low energy consumption, and those with higher protein intake had lower BMI and % body fat, but higher lipid intake. Key words: Nutritional status. Aged. Nutrition assessment. Body composition. Introducao e Objetivo: As alteracoes decorrentes do envelhecimento interferem no estado nutricional dos idosos, aumentando o risco de doencas cronicas. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o estado nutricional de idosos de Embu-Guacu-SP e caracterizar essa populacao segundo variaveis sociodemograficas, composicao corporal e consumo alimentar. Materiais e Metodos: Trata-se de estudo transversal descritivo com amostra de 40 idosos de ambos os sexos submetidos a avaliacao de risco nutricional (MAN reduzida), antropometrica (peso e estatura), de composicao corporal (bioimpedancia) e de consumo alimentar (registro alimentar de 3 dias). Resultados: A media de idade dos participantes foi de 68,8 [+ or -] 5,7. Nenhum idoso apresentou risco de desnutricao. 66% das mulheres e 62,5% dos homens foram class