Central adiposity among elderly women in a gerontology-geriatric unit / Adiposidade central em idosas de uma unidade geronto-geriátrica

ABSTRACT

Abstract Objective: To evaluate central adiposity in elderly women in a gerontology-geriatric care unit of the Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (the Federal University of Pernambuco). Method: A cross-sectional study involving a sample of 182 elderly women, aged from 60 to 89 years, who received care from January to July 2011, was performed. The variables analyzed were the socio-economic and demographic conditions, lifestyle, waist circumference (WC) and body mass index (BMI) of the women, as well as the occurrence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus and high total cholesterol levels. Yates' chi-squared test and Fisher's exact test were applied. A significance rate of 5% was adopted for the rejection of the null hypothesis. Results: Of the elderly women surveyed 82.4% had a WC signifying a large waist size, 57.2% were over-weight, 78.3% presented hypercholesterolemia, 63.2% had hypertension and 23.6% had diabetes. 61.5% were aged between 60 and 69 years old; 56% received up to two minimum salaries; 63.5% had less than eight years of schooling, 74.7% stated that they did not smoke, 87.9% did not drink alcohol; and 51.4 had sedentary habits. An association was observed between BMI and central adiposity (CA) (p=0.000). CA tended to be present around 1.2 times more frequently in elderly women with excess weight than among those who were not overweight. Conclusion: The high frequency of central adiposity and overweight indicates the susceptibility of this population to these factors. While no association with cardiovascular risk factors was observed, there is a clear need for monitoring by a multidisciplinary team, so as to identify and treat this debilitating condition, thereby contributing to the quality of life of this population. AU

RESUMO

Resumo Objetivo: Avaliar a adiposidade central em idosas assistidas em uma unidade geronto-geriátrica da Universidade Federal de Pernambuco. Método: O estudo teve delineamento transversal envolvendo uma amostra de 182 idosas com faixa etária entre 60 a 89 anos, atendidas no período janeiro-julho de 2011. As variáveis analisadas foram circunferência abdominal (CA), índice de massa corporal, estilo de vida, presença de Hipertensão Arterial Sistêmica (HAS), diabetes mellitus, colesterol total, condições socioeconômicas e demográficas. Aplicou-se o teste qui-quadrado e o teste exato de Fisher. Adotou-se o nível de significância de 5% para rejeição da hipótese de nulidade. Resultado: Das idosas avaliadas, 82,4% indicaram CA muito elevada, 57,2% apresentavam excesso de peso, 78,3% encontravam-se com hipercolesterolemia, 63,2% com HAS e 23,6% eram diabéticas, 61,5% encontravam-se entre 60 a 69 anos, 56% recebiam até 2 salários mínimos, 63,5% estudaram menos de 8 anos, 74,7% relataram não ser tabagista, 87,9% eram abstêmios e 51,4% sedentárias. Observou-se associação entre o Índice de Massa Corporal e AC (p=0,000). A AC tende apresentar cerca de 1,2 vezes no excesso de peso quando comparados com idosos sem AC. Conclusão: A elevada frequência de adiposidade central e o excesso de peso apontam a suscetibilidade dessa população, ainda que nenhuma associação com os fatores de risco cardiovascular tenha sido observada, impõe-se a necessidade de acompanhamento por equipe multidisciplinar para a identificação e tratamento desse agravo, contribuindo para a qualidade de vida dessa população. AU