Micronutrient intake in elderly living in nursing homes.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the ingestion of micronutrients in elderly living in nursing homes. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study, conducted with 216 individuals of both sexes, age equal or greater than 60 years, living in nursing homes for elderly in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. Direct weighing of the food was used to get food intake, and prevalence of inadequacy was obtained using the software Multiple Source Method (MSM) and evaluated by estimated average requirement (EAR). RESULTS: A high prevalence of inadequate intake of micronutrients was observed, being over 90% for vitamins E, folate, pyridoxine and calcium, in both sexes and between 50 and 70% for selenium, retinol, riboflavin, cyanocobalamin and vitamin C. CONCLUSION: The high prevalence of inadequate intake of micronutrients in elderly living on nursing homes observed in this study may be used for planning public health strategies aiming to improve the nutritional context of this population and their quality of life, reducing the costs of health care.

Micronutrient intake in elderly living in nursing homes / Ingesta de micronutrientes en ancianos residentes en instituciones de larga permanencia

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the ingestion of micronutrients in elderly living in nursing homes. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study, conducted with 216 individuals of both sexes, age equal or greater than 60 years, living in nursing homes for elderly in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. Direct weighing of the food was used to get food intake, and prevalence of inadequacy was obtained using the software Multiple Source Method (MSM) and evaluated by estimated average requirement (EAR). Results: A high prevalence of inadequate intake of micronutrients was observed, being over 90% for vitamins E, folate, pyridoxine and calcium, in both sexes and between 50 and 70% for selenium, retinol, riboflavin, cyanocobalamin and vitamin C. Conclusion: The high prevalence of inadequate intake of micronutrients in elderly living on nursing homes observed in this study may be used for planning public health strategies aiming to improve the nutritional context of this population and their quality of life, reducing the costs of health care (AU)

Objetivo: el objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la ingesta de micronutrientes en ancianos residentes en instituciones de larga permanencia. Métodos: se trata de un estudio transversal, realizado con 216 individuos de ambos sexos, con edad igual o superior a 60 años y residentes en instituciones de larga permanencia en la ciudad de Salvador, Bahía, Brasil. Para la evaluación del consumo alimentario se utilizó el pesaje directo del alimento y la comparación con los valores de referencia del requerimiento promedio estimado (RPE). La prevalencia de ingesta inadecuada fue obtenida a través del software Multiple Source Method (MSM). Resultados: se observó una alta prevalencia de ingesta inadecuada de micronutrientes por encima de 90% para las vitaminas E, folato, piridoxina y calcio, en ambos sexos, y entre el 50% y el 70% para selenio, retinol, riboflavina, cianocobalamina y vitamina C. Conclusión: la elevada prevalencia de ingesta inadecuada de micronutrientes en los ancianos residentes en instituciones de larga permanencia observada en este estudio puede ser utilizada para la planificación de estrategias en salud pública, con el objetivo de mejorar la situación nutricional de esta población y su calidad de vida, reduciendo los costes derivados de la asistencia sanitaria (AU)