[Nutritional status and body composition of a group of non-institutionalized elderly in the State of Zulia, Venezuela].

To assess the nutritional status and body composition of an elderly free-living population from the State of Zulia, Venezuela, ninety-four persons (47 male and 47 female), ages ranging from 60 to 88 years (mean age 69.55 +/- 6.60) (X +/- SD) were studied. Anthropometric measurements, and a dietary study by means of 24-hour recall and a Food Frequency were performed. Significant statistical differences (p < 0.001, and p < 0.05) were observed among female and male groups in all measures and indices except weight, waist, arm area, and arm muscle area. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were also observed among age groups in weight, Quetelet index, percentage ideal weight (% IW), and triceps skinfold thickness. The means of anthropometric measures and nutritional indicators were higher than the results obtained in other studies. The percentage of elderly obese with Quetelet greater than 30 kg/m < or = was 42.6% (females) and 6.4% (males). In contrast, when utilizing % IW it was observed that 4.3% of the men and 48.9% of the women were obese. Body fat distribution index (waist/hip) shows abdominal fat distribution in 21.3% males and 68.1% females. We found sex-based significant differences in dietary intake of energy, total fat, carbohydrates, iron, vitamin A, and thiamin. The results indicate that the intake of protein, total fat, calcium, phosphorus, iron, thiamin, and niacin is high among males y females, when compared with the present Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) values of Venezuela. The intake of carbohydrate, fiber, vitamin A, riboflavin, zinc, and copper is low among males and females according RDA values, as well as the intake of riboflavin in males. The study indicates a high frequency of men and women obese, and with overweight among females as a consequence of the inadequacy of dietary intake. The present findings emphasizes the need to study in depth the different factors that affect nutritional status of elderly individuals in our country.