Indicadores antropométricos do estado nutricional em idosas de um grupo de convivência em Natal/RN

Abstract

Introduction: The assessment of nutritional status is one of the important aspects in the evaluation of the health and well-being of seniors. She can be realized from the use of different anthropometric indicators, in isolation or associated, with the objective to identify the need for corrections and health interventions. Objective: To compare the anthropometric indicators that present better predictive capacity of nutritional status of elderly people. Methodology: Were evaluated 27 elderly, predominantly female, aged 60 years or more, which were duly enrolled and attending regularly, a group of senior living of a clinical school, in the city of Natal/RN. The anthropometric measurements measured were: weight (P), height (E), arm circumferences (CB), waist (CC), calf (CP) and cutaneous fold triciptal (DCT). From that, it was calculated the body mass index (BMI), the Muscular arm Circumference (CMB) and the arm Muscle Area corrected (AMBc). The data were submitted to descriptive and statistical testing of Mann-Whitney U Test and Pearson correlation coefficient (r). Results: The classification results of the IMC, either by who as for Lipschitz, considered the elderly as overweight, 33.33% to 62.96%, respectively. Confirming the diagnosis, the CC sorts the older with very high risk for cardiovascular disease (CC > 88 cm). The CP, CB, CMB and AMBc present no risk to the population studied, sorting your vast majority as Eutrophic. On the other hand, the assessment of DCT considered most obese (66.67%) as elderly. Conclusion: The results present many limitations when evaluated in isolation. Most point prevalence of overweight and at high risk for developing cardiovascular disease or metabolic diseases. To this end, it is suggested the insistence of greater control and guidance to habits that encourage a healthier lifestyle.