[Nutritional features of elders living in poor communities of the Metropolitan Region of Chile].

BACKGROUND

The higher life expectancy of the Chilean population has required a greater concern about health and nutrition of elderly people.

AIM

To assess the alimentation of people over 65 years old, living in communities of the Metropolitan Region with high social vulnerability.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A random and representative sample of 257 elders living in the poorest communities of santiago was studied. They were interviewed in their homes about feeding patterns, the alimentation of the day before and their nutritional status. Mean energy and nutrient consumption and their fitting to FAO/WHO energy and National Research Council micronutrient recommendations were calculated. A feeding quality index, that considers the adequacy of consumption of all nutrients, was calculated.

RESULTS

Except for bread, median consumption of all groups of foods was below recommendations. Median energy and protein consumption was 1438 Kcal and 53.9 g in men and 1118 Kcal and 37.7 g in women. Adequacy of consumption of all nutrients was low and the intake of energy, protein, calcium, iron and folate was significantly lower in women than in men. The factors associated with feeding quality in these subjects were a last meal of the day before different from supper, more than 15 hours of morning fasting and sex.

CONCLUSIONS

Alimentation of elders living in poor communities of Santiago is severely deficient. Focalized intervention models to improve this situation should be devised.