Evaluation of fruit intake among elderly in São Caetano do Sul, São Paulo, Brazil

• Autor(a) principal: Secafimª,Mayara Vieira
• Data de Publicação: 2016
• Outros Autores: Previdelli,Ágatha Nogueira, Marques,Karina Maffei, Ferreira,Marcela Previato do Nascimento, Freitas,Tatiana Império de, Goulart,Rita Maria Monteiro, Aquino,Rita de Cássia de
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: eng
• Título da fonte: Geriatrics, Gerontology and Aging (Online)
• Texto Completo: https://ggaging.com/details/365
• topic: fruit; aging; food consumption; elderly nutrition; nutrients.

<p><b>OBJECTIVES:</b> To evaluate the consumption of fruits based on the habitual consumption in elderly.<br> <b>METHODS:</b> Crosssectional study in non-probabilistic sample of 295 elderly people, from the research "Food Consumption Assessment in Elderly in São Caetano do Sul, São Paulo, Brazil". Information on fruits intake was obtained from the previously validated Food Frequency Questionnaire, and the consumption of energy and nutrients was assessed by two 24-hour dietary recall, using the <i>Multiple Source Method Program</i> (MSM). A logistic regression was applied to verify socio-demographic factors and lifestyle associated with fruits intake, and the Mann-Whitney test was used to evaluate the differences among the consumption of fruits, energy, macro and micronutrients.<br> <b> RESULTS:</b> More than half of the sample (58%) consumed three or more fruit daily. The fruit intake was positively associated with female gender (OR = 2.00; 95%CI 1.02 - 3.91; p = 0.04) andliving alone (OR = 1.86; 95%CI 1.04 - 3.30; p = 0.03); and negatively associated with malnutrition (OR = 0.36; 95%CI 0.17 - 0.76; p = 0.01). Among seniors who have adequate consumption of fruit it was observed an increased intake of fibers (p = 0.03), vitamin A (p &lt; 0.01), vitamin C (p &lt; 0.01), potassium (p &lt; 0.01) and magnesium (p &lt; 0.01). Although, there was no significant association between energy and macronutrients (p &gt; 0.05).<br> <b>CONCLUSION:</b> The consumption of fruit was influenced by socio-demographic factors and nutritional status, affecting the higher consumption of fiber, vitamin A and C, minerals like potassium and magnesium. Public policies that increased fruit consumption by the elderly could influence the health and quality of life of older people.</p>