ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate characteristics of abnormal eating behaviors in patients with Alzheimer's disease and explore the potential needs of the patients.Methods Based on the model of Need-driven Dementiacompromised Behavior (NDB),we used the list of eating behaviors in patients with Alzheimer's disease to observe and record the behaviors of 120 patients and extracted the characteristics of abnormal eating behaviors.Twelve caregivers were selected to participate in the individual in-depth interview using semi-structured interview method,and then 5 of them were involved in the focus group interview for richness and accuracy.Content analysis was used to analyze data.Results Abnormal eating behaviors were identified in 47.5％(57/120) of the patients with Alzheimer's disease.The most common abnormal eating behavior was verbal refusal to eat or stating "No more","Not hungry","I'm fu11"(64.9％),the second was spiting food out(63.2％),the simultaneous items were impatient behaviors prior to or during meal time(38.6％),being distracted from eating(38.6％),resisting help with meal(38.6％),refusal to open mouth (38.6％).Four potential needs were extracted,including desire for family,desire for companion,desire for eating dignity,and eagerness for a sense of inner security.Conclusion It is common for patients with Alzheimer's disease to show abnormal eating behaviors,which demonstrate their potential needs.Caregivers need to be trained to identify the abnormal behaviors of patients and reflected potential needs.Those needs should be met to improve patients' quality of care,and reduce burdens of caregivers.
ABSTRACT
El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar la asociación entre las conductas alimentarias de riesgo (CAR) y las deficiencias de vitaminas y nutrimentos inorgánicos en una muestra de mujeres en edad reproductiva. Participaron 282 mujeres de 12 a 49 años (21.9 por ciento adolescentes) no embarazadas ni lactando, muestreadas de manera sistemática con arranque aleatorio en 6 colonias del poniente del Distrito Federal. Se evaluaron las concentraciones de las vitaminas A, C, E, B12 y ácido fólico así como de hemoglobina, ferritina y hierro y zinc séricos. Para las CAR se usó un cuestionario validado en la población mexicana. La información se analizó con estadística descriptiva y la prueba de Fisher. Aproximadamente el 68 por ciento de la muestra fue de nivel socioeconómico medio-bajo o inferior. El 14.8 por ciento tuvo un puntaje de riesgo para las CAR, sin diferencias entre adolescentes y adultas. Las CAR más frecuentes fueron la preocupación por engordar y comer demasiado. El 10 por ciento de las mujeres, aproximadamente, usaron diuréticos o laxantes durante el trimestre anterior a la encuesta. Las deficiencias más importantes fueron las de Vitamina E, zinc y hierro, que afectan al 47 por ciento, 44 por ciento y 27 por ciento de la población, respectivamente. No hubo asociación significativa entre las CAR y las deficiencias de micronutrimentos de manera global ni al analizar por conductas aisladas. A pesar de ello, y dada la alta prevalencia de las CAR y la obesidad en esta población, es necesario hacer campañas para promover la adopción de conductas saludables que permitan alcanzar un peso adecuado.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between the risk of abnormal eating behaviors (AEB) and vitamin and mineral deficiencies among women. Women of childbearing age (n=282) were systematically sampled with a random start (21.9 percent adolescents) in 6 suburbs in the west side of Mexico City, they were non pregnant or breastfeeding. Vitamin A, C, E, B12, folic acid, hemoglobin, ferritin, cupper, iron and zinc concentrations were measured. A questionnaire validated in the Mexican population was used for screening AEB. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and by using Fisher´s test. Approximately 68 percent of the sample belonged to a mid-low or lower socioeconomic status. 14 percent had risk of AEB, without statistical differences between adults and teenagers. 10 percent used diuretics or laxatives to reduce weight within the trimester preceding the survey. Vitamin E, zinc and iron were the most widespread deficiencies affecting 47 percent, 44 percent and 27 percent of the population, respectively. There was no association between the AEB and micronutrient deficiencies neither when AEB were analyzed globally nor individually. Considering these results and the high prevalence of the AEB and overweight in this population, it is important to promote the adoption or healthy behaviors to achieve an adequate weight.