ABSTRACT
Brazil has one of the fastest aging populations in the world and the incidence of cognitive impairment in the elderly is expected to increase exponentially. We examined the association between cognitive impairment and fruit and vegetable intake and associated factors in a low-income elderly population. A cross-sectional population-based study was carried out with 1849 individuals aged 65 or over living in São Paulo, Brazil. Cognitive function was assessed using the Community Screening Instrument for Dementia (CSI-D). Fruit and vegetable intake was assessed with a Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) and categorized into quartiles of intake and into total daily fruit and vegetable intake using the cut-off points for the WHO recommendations (<400 grams/day or ≥ 400 grams/day). The association between cognitive impairment and each quartile of intake, and WHO recommendation levels, was evaluated in two separate multivariate logistic models. The WHO recommendations for daily intakes ≥ 400 grams/day were significantly associated with 47% decreased prevalence of cognitive impairment. An effect modification was found in both models between cognitive impairment and "years of education and physical activity" and "years of education and blood levels of HDL" So that, having 1 or more years of education and being physically active or having 1 or more years of education and levels higher than 50 mg/dl of HDL-cholesterol strongly decreased the prevalence of cognitive impairment. In this socially deprived population with very low levels of education and physical activity and fruit and vegetable intake, those who attained WHO recommendations, had 1 year or more of education and were physically active had a significantly lower prevalence of cognitive impairment. A more comprehensive understanding of the social determinants of mental health is needed to develop effective public policies in developing countries.
Subject(s)
Cognition , Diet Surveys , Feeding Behavior , Fruit , Vegetables , Vulnerable Populations , Age Factors , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Brazil , Cognition Disorders/epidemiology , Cognition Disorders/prevention & control , Cognitive Dysfunction/epidemiology , Cognitive Dysfunction/prevention & control , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Humans , Male , Motor Activity , Odds Ratio , Population Surveillance , Prevalence , Risk FactorsABSTRACT
The study purpose was to develop a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) to investigate potential relationships between diet and non-communicable diseases. Two hundred adults were selected among attendees at the general outpatient clinic of Heart Institute of São Paulo, Brazil. A 98-food item list was created from 24-hour recalls, based on the weighted contribution of each food to energy intake and 21 nutrients. The questionnaire represented 96.8% of energy and at least 95% of the selected nutrients consumed by the study population. Once adapted and validated, this FFQ could be used in epidemiological studies in adult population.
Subject(s)
Diet Surveys , Diet/statistics & numerical data , Feeding Behavior , Surveys and Questionnaires/standards , Adult , Cardiovascular Diseases/prevention & control , Chronic Disease , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Humans , Male , Reproducibility of ResultsABSTRACT
O objetivo do estudo foi desenvolver um questionário de freqüência alimentar com o intuito de investigar possíveis relações entre dieta e doenças não transmissíveis. Foram estudados 200 indivíduos adultos, atendidos no ambulatório geral de um hospital cardiológico de São Paulo, SP. A lista de 98 alimentos do questionário de freqüência alimentar foi construída a partir de recordatórios de 24 horas, estimando-se a contribuição percentual de cada alimento para o consumo de energia e de 21 nutrientes. O questionário desenvolvido representou 96,8 por cento das calorias consumidas pela população estudada e ao menos 95 por cento da ingestão dos nutrientes selecionados. Uma vez adaptado e validado, esse questionário poderá ser utilizado em estudos epidemiológicos em populações adultas.
