No abstract

Background:There is a wide variation in the cutoff points of body mass index (BMI) and calf circumference (CC) , and it is necessary to assess their adequacy in predicting mortality, especially in the older adults in the community. This study aimed to investigate the association of low muscle mass and underweight with mortality in older adults, comparing different cutoff points. Methods:This was a prospective study that included 796 older adults, not institutionalized, from a Brazilian city. Generalized additive models (GAMs) were used to identify cutoff points for CC and BMI, which were compared with values available in the literature. Survival analysis using Cox regression models was used to assess the independent association between these nutrition indicators and mortality.Results: Over the 9 years of follow-up, 197 deaths (24.7%) occurred. Cutoff points established for CC and BMI as predictors of mortality were, respectively, <34.5 cm and <24.5. In the adjusted Cox models, older adults with a BMI <18.5 showed a significant increase in the risk of death (hazard ratio [HR], 2.57; 95% CI, 1.23-5.35). Higher mortality was observed among older adults with CC <34.5 cm (HR, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.27-2.33) and CC <31 cm (HR, 2.11; 95% CI,. Conclusion:CC was an independent predictor of mortality, and the cutoff point identified by GAMs was higher than recommended by literature (31 cm). This study suggests a review of cutoff points for CC currently adopted to assess low muscle mass in older adults.

Background:The food consumption assessment is necessary to monitor elderly’s nutritional status because it allows detecting nutrition deficits and guiding the elaboration of effective conducts.Objective:The objective of this study is to assess the global quality of the elderly’s diet in Viçosa—MG, Brazil.Methods:This is a population-based cross-sectional study, involving noninstitutionalized elderly. Diet quality was assessed through the Brazilian Healthy Eating Index-Revised (BHEI-R) validated to the Brazilian population.Results:The study comprised 620 elderly individuals. The mean total BHEI-R score was 64.28. The worse consumption scores concerned the components Whole grains, Milk and derivatives, Sodium, Total fruit, and Whole fruit. Approximately 82% scored zero (0%) for Whole grains and 67% for Sodium. Men presented significantly lower scores than women, who have presented maximal score in the same items. Women’s scores were not only significantly higher for Total fruit, Whole fruit, Milk and derivatives, but also significantly lower for Saturated fat.Discussion:Most elderly need to improve their diet quality. Strategies heading toward the improvement of diet quality must be priority in policies to health promotion toward the healthy and active aging.

O relato refere-se a uma ação extensionista de escuta solidária a pessoas idosas durante a pandemia da COVID-19.  Os idosos são acompanhados por ligações telefônicas, mensagens e ligações pelo Whatsapp, por estudantes universitários, nos municípios de Viçosa (MG), Palmas (TO) e Campinas (SP). A escuta e o acolhimento à pessoa idosa contribuem sobremaneira para fortalecer a autoconfiança, a percepção da transitoriedade do momento, o compartilhamento de enfrentamentos e construção positiva e otimista de que dias melhores virão. The report refers to a solidarity extension action for the older adults during a COVID-19 pandemic. The older adults are accompanied by telephone contacts, messages and contacts via WhatsApp, by university students, in the cities of Viçosa (MG), Palmas (TO) and Campinas (SP). Listening to and welcoming the older adults contributes greatly to strengthening self-confidence, the perception of the transience of the moment, the sharing of confrontations and the positive and optimistic construction of better days. El informe se refiere a una acción de extensión solidaria para los ancianos durante una pandemia de COVID-19. Los ancianos están acompañados por contactos telefónicos, mensajes y contactos a través de WhatsApp, por estudiantes universitarios, en los municipios de Viçosa (MG), Palmas (TO) y Campinas (SP). Escuchar y dar la bienvenida a los ancianos contribuye en gran medida a fortalecer la autoconfianza, la percepción de la fugacidad del momento, el intercambio de confrontaciones y la construcción positiva y optimista de días mejores.

Avaliou-se a qualidade da alimentação de idosos longevos e sua relação com doenças crônicas não transmissíveis. Foi um estudo transversal, de base populacional, realizado em Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brasil, o qual integra um projeto maior intitulado “Condições de saúde, nutrição e uso de medicamentos por idosos do município de Viçosa (MG): um inquérito de base populacional”. As entrevistas com os idosos foram realizadas por meio de questionário semiestruturado, com a maioria das questões fechadas e pré-codificadas. Os dados do consumo alimentar foram obtidos por recordatório de ingestão habitual e a qualidade da dieta avaliada por meio do Índice de Alimentação Saudável Revisado (IAS-R), validado para a população brasileira. A amostra foi composta por 94 idosos longevos, a maioria do sexo feminino. Os mesmos apresentaram alta ingestão de sódio, baixa ingestão de cereais integrais e IAS-R = 62,22. Idosos diabéticos apresentaram maior ingestão de frutas totais, baixa ingestão de Gord_AA (açúcares, gorduras sólidas e álcool) e IAS-R total maior em comparação aos não diabéticos. As presenças de dislipidemia e hipertensão não alteraram o consumo de nenhum dos componentes. Os resultados indicaram a necessidade de adequação na ingestão alimentar. Assim, intervenções e orientações nutricionais específicas destinadas à promoção da saúde devem ser incentivadas.