Community-based programme to promote physical activity among elderly people: the GeroBilbo study.

BACKGROUND: Physical activity in the elderly contributes to maintain muscle function and tone, mobility of joints and fosters social relationships when practised in a social setting, thus contributing to physical, psychological and social well-being. OBJECTIVE: To assess objective and perceived health of elderly people involved in the physical activity programme of Bilbao. DESIGN: Community-based cross-sectional study. Study protocol considered length of involvement in the programme; age, gender, perceived health, remarkable facts in personal and family disease history, as well as consumption of pharmaceutical drugs, tobacco, alcohol and physical activity (n=1500). In a subsample, (n=596; 122 men and 474 women), age range 60 to 89 years, anthropometrical measurements were collected. RESULTS: A considerable proportion (69%) had an active lifestyle and practised other physical exercise or sports, apart from the programme gymnastic sessions. Improvement in physical well-being, entertainment and social contacts were key motivations to participate in the programme. About 70% of the sample had been involved in the programme at least for three years. Mean weight was 75.8 +/-10 kg for men and 66 +/- 9.14 kg for women; mean height was 164.6 +/- 6.5 cm for men and 153 +/- 5.5 cm in the female subgroup. Body Mass Index was (BMI) 27.8 +/-2.8 kg/m2 in the male group and 28.1 +/- 3.6 kg/m2 among females. Prevalence of obesity (BMI > or = 30) was 22.7% for men and 28.9 % for women. CONCLUSION: Community interventions targeted to the elderly with a focus in physical activity, particularly when they are based in group physical exercise and implemented through existing networks are rewarding for old people and highly accepted. They are perceived as a positive influence in their health. Such interventions provide a forum which facilitates implementation of other community health initiatives addressed to this population group.

Glutamate-like immunoreactivity in axon terminals from the olfactory bulb to the piriform cortex.

A highly specific anti-glutamate monoclonal antibody, mAb2D7, was used together with light and electron microscopy to elucidate the role played by the amino acid glutamate in the projection from the olfactory bulb to the piriform cortex in the rat. By light microscopy, glutamate-like immunoreactivity was observed in neuronal cell bodies and in the neuropil of the piriform cortex. Double labelling experiments which involved injections of wheat germ agglutinin-horse--radish peroxidase into the olfactory bulb and a post-embedding immunogold method for electron microscopy revealed anterogradely labelled terminals making asymmetric synaptic contacts on dendrites in the piriform cortex which contained high levels of glutamate as assessed by quantification. These results further support a role for glutamate as a neurotransmitter in the efferent pathway of the rat olfactory bulb.

Fat and alcohol intake in the Basque Country.

A cross-sectional nutritional survey was carried out in the Basque Country, on a random sample of the population aged 25-60 years (n = 2348). Socioeconomic data, anthropometric measurements and food consumption data were collected. 24-h recall on three non-consecutive days plus a food frequency questionnaire were used for dietary assessment. The participation rate was 73.4%. Mean energy intake for men was 2944 kcal and 2049 kcal for women, decreasing with age. Energy distribution pattern (non-alcohol) showed 16% from protein; 38% from fat: 13% SFA; 16% MUFA and 9% PUFA; carbohydrates supplied 46% energy. Alcohol intake was 8%. Better-educated people had higher intakes of SFA, cholesterol and sugar (P < 0.001). Consumption of meat (162 g/person/d) and fish (89 person/d) were high. Cereals and potatoes were the main sources of energy in the Basque diet (23.24%) followed by meat, fish and eggs (20%). Percentage contribution to energy intake from meat was higher in men than in women, and also energy intake from alcohol. Women obtain more energy from milk. Edible fat was the main source of fat in the diet (46%) followed by meat (22%). Milk products and meat are the main sources of SFA in the Basque diet. Males had a high intake of alcohol, especially in the 35-44-year age group. Alcohol consumers usually drink every day and often not in the home.