[Prevalence and factors associated with the presence of anemia in the elderly of the municipality of Viçosa, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil]. / Prevalência e fatores associados à presença de anemia em idosos do município de Viçosa (MG), Brasil.

Anemia is the most common hematological problem encountered in the elderly population. A cross-sectional, population-based survey was conducted to evaluate the prevalence and factors associated with anemia in the elderly in Viçosa (State of Minas Gerais). Data were collected by means of a household survey and conducting biochemical tests on 349 elderly between June and December 2009. The prevalence of anemia was 11.7% (95% CI 8.3% -15.1%) and was found to be higher among men (15.4%) among those aged 80 years and older (30%) and those who practiced polypharmacy (16.8%). The results obtained indicate anemia determinants similar to those observed in developed countries. The real need of polypharmacy should be evaluated in health care for the elderly, in order to prevent iatrogenic complications, of which anemia is one such complication.

Anthropometric and biochemical parameters in adolescents and their relationship with eating habits and household food availability / Parámetros antropométricos y bioquímicos en los adolescentes y su relación con los hábitos alimentarios y la disponibilidad domiciliar de alimentos

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the per capita availability of energy and macronutrients in the home and frequency of food consumption by adolescents and to relate them with anthropometric and biochemical variables, as well as verify if the eating habits of parents are associated to the children. METHODS: We evaluated the weight, height, body fat (%BF), glucose, insulin, triglycerides, total cholesterol (TC) and fractions of 120 adolescents. We evaluated also the eating habits of adolescents and their parents. RESULTS: Adolescents with more than 35% of available lipids had 9.1-fold higher chances of presenting alterations in TC. Those who replaced the main meals for snacks had 3.66, 4.66 and 2.82 higher chances of presenting alterations in %BF, insulin and triglycerides, respectively. The daily consumption of fruit was considered as a protective factor in relation to hyperinsulinemia. There was a similar feeding behavior among adolescents and their mothers. CONCLUSION: The results suggest the importance of specific attention to adolescent health, focused on family education (AU)

Objetivos: Evaluar la disponibilidad per cápita de energía y macronutrientes en el hogar y la frecuencia de consumo alimentario en los adolescentes y relacionarlos con las variables antropométricas y bioquímicas, así como verificar si los hábitos dietéticos de los padres se relacionan con los de los hijos. Métodos: Evaluamos el peso, la talla, la grasa corporal (% GC), la glucosa, insulina, triglicéridos, colesterol total (CT) y sus fracciones de 120 adolescentes. También evaluamos los hábitos dietéticos de los adolescentes y sus padres. Resultados: Los adolescentes con más de un 35% de lípidos disponibles tenían una probabilidad 9,1 superior de presentar alteraciones del CT. Aquellos que sustituían las comidas principales por aperitivos tenían 3,66, 4,66 y 2,82 más probabilidades de presentar alteraciones del % GC, insulina y triglicéridos, respectivamente. El consumo diario de fruta se consideró un factor de protección en relación con la hiperinsulinemia. Hubo un patrón alimentario similar entre los adolescentes y sus madres. Conclusión: Los resultados sugieren la importancia de una atención específica a la salud de los adolescentes, centrada en la educación familiar (AU)