Healthy dietary pattern is inversely associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in elderly.

The prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is rising, an increase that may be associated with changes in lifestyle such as unhealthy dietary patterns. Although advanced age is a risk factor for NAFLD, no studies reporting this association in the elderly population were found. In the present study, the association between dietary patterns and NAFLD in the elderly was assessed. A study including 229 older adults was conducted. NAFLD diagnosis was defined as individuals whose ultrasound examination disclosed hepatic steatosis at any stage, in the absence of excess intake of alcoholic beverages. Dietary patterns were obtained by principal components analysis. Mean scores and standard errors of each dietary pattern were calculated for the groups with and without NAFLD, and mean scores of the two groups were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test. The prevalence ratios and 95 % CI were estimated for each tertile of the dietary pattern adherence scores using Poisson multiple regression models with robust variance. A total of 103 (45 %) elderly with NAFLD and four dietary patterns were identified: traditional, regional snacks, energy dense and healthy. Mean scores for adherence to the healthy pattern in the groups with and without NAFLD differed. NAFLD was inversely associated with greater adherence to the healthy pattern and directly associated with the regional snacks, after adjustment for confounders. In conclusion, healthy dietary pattern is inversely associated with NAFLD in elderly.

Nutritional status, diet and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in elders / Estado nutricional, dieta y enfermedad del hígado graso no alcohólico en ancianos

Objective: evaluate the inter-relations between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and dietary factors in a population of hypertensive elders. Methods: 229 hypertensive elder patients were evaluated, from June to December 2009. All the patients that accepted to participate in the study signed a free consent term. An anthropometric evaluation was carried out and the body composition was evaluated. The diagnosis of NAFLD was determined by the American guidelines. The regular food intake was estimated through a 24 hour questionnaire. Results: the weighted excess, by the body mass index and excess of abdominal fat, were associated with NAFLD (p < 0.001). An inverse profile was found with the diet variables. Conclusion: the studied group presents a health risk situation, considering the nutritional status markers. The regular diet appeared to be inadequate, showing excess of sodium and low fiber and vegetables intake (AU)

Objetivo: evaluar las interrelaciones entre enfermedad grasa no alcohólica del hígado (HGNA) y factores dietéticos en una población de ancianos hipertensos. Métodos: 229 pacientes ancianos hipertensos fueron evaluados desde junio a diciembre del 2009. Todos los pacientes que aceptaron participar en el estudio firmaron un consentimiento libre e informado. Fueron realizadas evaluaciones antropométricas y de composición corporal. El diagnóstico de HGNA fue determinado por el American Guidelines. El consumo alimenticio regular fue estimado a través de una encuesta alimentaria de recordatorio de 24 horas. Resultados: el exceso de peso, ponderado por el índice de masa corporal y el exceso de grasa abdominal, fueron asociados con HGNA (p < 0,001). Un perfil inverso fue encontrado con las variables dietéticas. Conclusión: el grupo estudiado presentó una situación de riesgo para la salud, considerando los marcadores del estado nutricional. La dieta regular pareció ser inadecuada, mostrando exceso de sodio bajo consumo de fibras y vegetales (AU)

Associação entre índice glicêmico e carga glicêmica dietéticos e síndrome metabólica em idosos / Association between dietary glycemic index and glycemic load and metabolic syndrome in elderly

OBJETIVO: Investigar a associação entre índice glicêmico (IG) e/ou carga glicêmica (CG) da dieta e síndrome metabólica (SM). MÉTODOS: Trata-se de estudo documental e do tipo caso-controle, com uma amostra de 229 idosos. Calcularam-se o IG e a CG, classificando-os em adequado (baixo) e inadequado (moderado e alto). Calculou-se ainda a prevalência de consumo dos alimentos, consumidos por pelo menos metade dos avaliados. A análise estatística dos dados foi efetuada por meio do teste c² e teste t de Student. Adotou-se p < 0,05 como nível de significância. RESULTADOS: Dos indivíduos estudados (n = 229), 74,2% pertenciam ao sexo feminino. A média de idade do grupo foi de 70,1 (6,4) anos. A média diária de IG do grupo caso foi de 62,3 (6,5), e do grupo controle de 62,1 (6,1), com p = 0,864. As médias diárias de CG não foram estatisticamente diferentes (p = 0,212), sendo a do grupo caso de 99,8 (33,8) e do grupo controle de 108,9 (45,7). Os alimentos consumidos tanto pelos casos como pelos controles, com maior contribuição ao IG, foram: pão, arroz, banana e açúcar refinado. CONCLUSÃO: No grupo avaliado, não houve associação entre índice glicêmico e carga glicêmica dietéticos e síndrome metabólica. O padrão identificado, no entanto, coloca portadores e não portadores em situação de risco à saúde, merecendo ações educativas.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between glycemic index and/or glycemic load diet and metabolic syndrome. METHODS: It is a documental and case-control study, with a sample of 229 elderly. We calculated the GI and GL, classifying them into appropriate (low) and inappropriate (moderate and high). We also estimated the prevalence of consumption of food, showing those who are consumed by 50% or more of the population studied. Data analysis was carried out through c² test and Independent Student's' t Test. We adopted p <0.05 level of significance. We used SPSS version 19.0 for data analysis. RESULTS: Of the individuals studied, 74.2% were female and 25.3% were male. The average age was 70.1 (6.4) years. The daily average GI in the case group was 62.3 (6.5) and control group, 62.1 (6.1), with no statistical difference (p = 0.864). The difference between the daily averages of GL was not significant (p = 0.212) between the case group - 99.8 (33.8) - and control group - 108.9 (45.7). The food consumed by both cases and controls, with higher contribution to the GI, were: bread, rice, banana and sugar. CONCLUSION: In the group assessed there was no association between dietary glycemic index and glycemic load and metabolic syndrome. However, the pattern identified puts cases and controls at risk to health, and deserve educational actions.