O processo de envelhecimento vem associado à diversas alterações funcionais, evidenciando-se a constipação intestinal como uma das mais prevalentes. O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar o efeito da semente de chia na constipação intestinal e sua interferência nas medidas de peso, circunferência da cintura e pressão arterial. Inicialmente foi realizada a identificação das idosas com o quadro de constipação intestinal por meio da aplicação do questionário Roma III. Após este procedimento aferiu-se as medidas antropométricas peso e altura para o cálculo e diagnóstico do estado nutricional segundo o Índice de Massa Corporal e Circunferência da Cintura para análise do risco de doenças cardiovasculares e Parâmetro Hemodinâmico. As participantes da pesquisa receberam a semente de chia para consumo durante 45 dias, sendo orientadas a ingerir diariamente em jejum 1 colher de sopa da semente (correspondente a 12g/dia), e também quanto a ingestão de água. Depois de transcorridos os 45 dias, as idosas foram reavaliadas. Observou-se, que a semente foi capaz de reverter o quadro da constipação intestinal, verificando a melhora em todos os fatores investigados pelo Questionário Roma III. Notou-se redução nos valores apresentados antes e após o experimento no que se refere ao peso, Índice de Massa Corporal e Circunferência da Cintura, mas sem significância estatística. Quanto aos níveis pressóricos, não foi observada alteração de valores. A chia se mostrou uma importante fonte de alimento funcional sendo eficaz nas pacientes que apresentaram constipação, porém mais trabalhos devem ser realizados a fim de explorar todos os efeitos benéficos da semente. The aging process has been associated with several functional disorders, and constipation has proven to be one of the most prevalent. Aim: To evaluate the effect of chia seeds on intestinal constipation and its influence on weight, waist circumference, and blood pressure measurements. Initially, the identification of the elderly women with intestinal constipation was carried out by using the Roma III questionnaire. After this procedure the anthropometric measurements, weight and height, were checked to calculate and diagnose their nutritional status according to the Body Mass Index and Waist Circumference, in order to analyze the risk of cardiovascular diseases and analyze hemodynamic parameters. The study participants consumed chia seeds during 45 days, and they were instructed to eat 1 tbsp of the seed (corresponding to 12 g/day) as well as to drink water. After 45 days, the elderly women were re-evaluated. Results: We have observed that the seed was able to suppress the intestinal constipation, and we verified an improvement in all the factors investigated by the Roma III Questionnaire. There was a reduction in the values presented before and after the experiment regarding weight, Body Mass Index and Waist Circumference, but with no statistical relevance. For blood pressure levels, no changes in values were observed. Chia seed is an important source of functional food and i...

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Introduction: The anthropometric indicators of obesity may be important in predicting metabolic syndrome (MS). Objective: To evaluate the anthropometric indicators as predictors of MS and verify the association of these indicators with MS in older adult individuals of both sexes. Methods: Cross-sectional epidemiological study was carried out with 222 individuals aged 60 years or older residents in the urban area of Aiquara, Bahia state, Brazil. Older adults were measured for anthropometric indicators: body mass index (BMI), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), waist circumference, conicity index, the sum of skinfolds; blood pressure; biochemical variables: fasting glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, and fractions. For the diagnosis of MS, the definition of the International Diabetes Federation was used. Descriptive and inferential data analysis was tested using correlation, the Poisson regression technique, and the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve. Results: The prevalence of MS was 62.3%. There was a correlation of all anthropometric indicators with MS in both sexes. The indicators of visceral fat had a strong association in that these indicators had an area under the ROC curve higher than 0.76 (CI95% 0.66–0.85). Thus, most results showed a weak correlation. Conclusion: All anthropometric indicators can be used to predict MS in older adults for both sexes, however, BMI and WHtR showed the best predictions.