Functional performance, nutritional status and level of physical activity of elderly

The elderly is a risk group for changes in health conditions and as well as in functional performance related to the decline in grip strength and reduced walking speed, which can compromise the performance of activities of daily living. Based on this, the objective was to analyze the factors associated with functional performance in the elderly. For that, a cross-sectional study was developed involving a group of 179 elderly people who received medical care at an outpatient clinic of the public health network. Muscle strength and gait speed were measured. Nutritional status was determined by Body Mass Index (BMI), calf circumference (CC), waist circumference (WC) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR). Level of physical activity was measured by the adapted version of the Minnesota Leisure Activities Questionnaire. Low muscle strength was found in 20.7% of the elderly and slow gait in 20.1%. Increased risk of cardiovascular disease was found in 40.8% considering WC, and 35.2% by WHR. Most of the elderly had low weight and no loss of muscle mass. Loss of muscle strength was associated with sex and CC and gait speed were associated with sex, age, and presence of a partner (p < 0.05). The chance of loss of muscle strength and lower gait speed was higher in elderly women. Loss of muscle mass due to CC was associated with the chance of loss of strength, and the chance of reduced walking speed was greater among the elderly individuals aged 75 years and over.

Consumo alimentar, pressão arterial e controle metabólico em idosos diabéticos hipertensos / Food intake, blood pressure and metabolic control in elderly hypertensive diabetic patients

Fundamentos: Hábitos alimentares inadequados têm sido asociados com o aumento de obesidade, diabetes tipo 2, hipercolesterolemia, doenças cardiovasculares e outras doenças crônicas não transmissíveis. Objetivo: Avaliar a associação entre ingestão inadequada de alimentos e níveis elevados de pressão arterial, glicemia e lipídeos séricos em idosos diabéticos e hipertensos inseridos na Estratégia Saúde da Família(ESF) atendidos em posto de saúde em Teresina(PI). Métodos: Pesquisa do tipo transversal, constituída por 34 idosos atendidos em demanda espontânea na unidade de saúde do Bairro Novo Horizonte. Foram analisados dados referentes à pressão arterial, à variavéis bioquímicas e ao consumo alimentar. A associação entre variáveis foi avaliação por meio do teste de Fisher para proporções e do teste de regressão linear. O nível de significância foi estabelecido em p<0,05. Resultados: Entre as variáveis investigadas houve associação entre a proporção de indivíduos com pressão arterial alteradae o consumo alimentar inadequado de frutas, hortaliças, leite e derivados, para pressão arterial sistólica e diastólica. Além disso, observou-se associação positiva entre percentual aumentadode hemoglobina glicada e o consumo inadequado de hortaliças (F=4,42; p=0,04), e entre os níveis elevados de triglicerídeos e o consumo inadequado de cereais (F=5,1; p=0,02). Conclusão: Os hábitos alimentares inadequados se apresentaram relacionados com aumento dos níveis de glicose e lipídiosséricos e com níveis pressóricos elevados no grupo de idosos avaliados.

Background: Poor eating habits have been associated with rising obesity, type 2 diabetes, hypercholesterolemia,cardiovascular diseases and other non-transmissible chronic diseases. Objective: To evaluate the association between inadequate food intake and high blood pressure with high levels of seric lipids and glycemia among elderly hypertensive diabetics assisted through the Family Health Strategy at a government clinic in Teresina, Piaui State, Northeast Brazil. Methods: A cross-sectional study of a sample of 34 elderly people assisted in response to spontaneous demands at a government clinic in the Novo Horizonte district analyzed data on blood pressure, biochemical variables and diet. Theassociations among the variables were evaluated through the Fisher test for proportions and the linear regression test, establishing a significance level of p<0.05. Results: Among the investigated variables, associationswere found between the proportion of individuals with altered blood pressure and inadequate intakes of fruits,vegetables, milk and dairy products for systolic and diastolic blood pressure. A positive association was noted betweenhigher glycated hemoglobin and insufficient consumption of vegetables (F=4.42; p=0.04), as well as between high triglyceride levels and insufficient consumption of cereals (F=5.1; p=0.02).Conclusion: Poor eating habits appear to be related to high blood pressure with higher glucose and seric lipid levels inthis elderly group.