La actividad física y el estado nutricional y psicosocial del anciano no dependiente / Physical activity and nutritional and psychosocial status in non-dependent elderly

OBJETIVO: Describir el grado de actividad física (AF) de una muestra de ancianos independientes no institucionalizados y la relación entre aquel y el estado nutricional y las condiciones psicosociales de los ancianos. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Estudio descriptivo transversal multicéntrico implementado en los centros de salud urbanos de la ciudad de Huesca en mayores de 75 años. Tamaño muestral 60 pacientes. Se analizaron variables demográficas, psicosociales, nutricionales, antropométricas y AF. Para la medición de esta última, se utilizó la escala breve de Minnesota en español (VREM). RESULTADOS: La edad media fue de 81,58 años (±4) con una distribución por género del 51,7% mujeres. El grupo mostró globalmente una situación de salud favorable: Afectación física leve (45%), correcta salud mental referida al estado cognitivo (93%) o de ánimo (88%), estado social favorable (96%), independencia para las actividades de la vida diaria (100%) y buena calidad de vida percibida (puntuación>70 en el 70%). En relación con la AF se obtuvo una media de 4666,2MET-min/14 días y se identificaron como sedentarios el 10% de los participantes. Se obtuvo una relación inversa estadísticamente significativa de la AF con la incapacidad funcional, la sarcopenia y la composición corporal (perímetro de cintura, diámetro abdominal sagital, índice de masa y porcentaje de grasa corporales) (p < 0,05). La AF no mostró relación significativa con el estado nutricional y las condiciones psicosociales. Sí resultó significativa la observada entre el estado nutricional y las variables de la esfera psicosocial (p < 0,01). CONCLUSIONES: Las características de la población estudiada en las esferas orgánica, funcional, psíquica y social no sugieren importantes limitaciones para la AF. Un porcentaje nada despreciable de ancianos no realiza suficiente AF. Existe una relación significativa entre la realización de ejercicio físico y los índices de composición corporal favorables

OBJECTIVE: To describe the level of physical activity (PA) of a sample of independent non-institutionalised elderly and its relationship between nutritional status and psychosocial conditions of the elderly. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A multicentre cross-sectional descriptive study carried out in Health Centres of the city of Huesca in a sample size of patients over 75 years-old. Demographic, psychosocial, nutritional, anthropometric, and PA variables were analysed. The short scale of Minnesota in Spanish (VREM) was used to measure the latter. RESULTS: The mean age was 81.58 years (±4) with a gender distribution of 51.7% women. The group were in a good health condition overall: Mild physical impairment (45%), correct mental health as regards cognition (93%) or mood (88%), favourable social status (96%), independence for activities of daily living (100%), and a good perceived quality of life (score>70 in 70%). There was a mean of 4666.2 METS-Min/14 days obtained in PA, and 10% of the participants were identified as sedentary. A statistically significant inverse relationship (P<.05) was observed between PA and functional disability, sarcopenia and body composition (waist circumference, sagittal abdominal diameter, mass index, and body fat percentage). No significant relationship was observed between PA and nutritional status and psychosocial conditions. The relationship between the nutritional status and the variables of the psychosocial sphere was significant (P<.01). CONCLUSIONS: The characteristics of the population studied in the organic, functional, psychical, and social spheres do not suggest important limitations for PA. An insignificant percentage of the elderly does not perform enough PA. There is a significant relationship between physical exercise and favourable body composition rates

[Physical activity and nutritional and psychosocial status in non-dependent elderly]. / La actividad física y el estado nutricional y psicosocial del anciano no dependiente.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the level of physical activity (PA) of a sample of independent non-institutionalised elderly and its relationship between nutritional status and psychosocial conditions of the elderly. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A multicentre cross-sectional descriptive study carried out in Health Centres of the city of Huesca in a sample size of patients over 75 years-old. Demographic, psychosocial, nutritional, anthropometric, and PA variables were analysed. The short scale of Minnesota in Spanish (VREM) was used to measure the latter. RESULTS: The mean age was 81.58 years (±4) with a gender distribution of 51.7% women. The group were in a good health condition overall: Mild physical impairment (45%), correct mental health as regards cognition (93%) or mood (88%), favourable social status (96%), independence for activities of daily living (100%), and a good perceived quality of life (score>70 in 70%). There was a mean of 4666.2 METS-Min/14 days obtained in PA, and 10% of the participants were identified as sedentary. A statistically significant inverse relationship (P<.05) was observed between PA and functional disability, sarcopenia and body composition (waist circumference, sagittal abdominal diameter, mass index, and body fat percentage). No significant relationship was observed between PA and nutritional status and psychosocial conditions. The relationship between the nutritional status and the variables of the psychosocial sphere was significant (P<.01). CONCLUSIONS: The characteristics of the population studied in the organic, functional, psychical, and social spheres do not suggest important limitations for PA. An insignificant percentage of the elderly does not perform enough PA. There is a significant relationship between physical exercise and favourable body composition rates.

[An epidemiological study on the alcohol consumption habits in an urban population]. / Estudio epidemiológico sobre los hábitos de consumo de alcohol en una población de carácter urbano.

OBJECTIVE: To quantify alcohol consumption in the town of Valls, differentiating working days from the week-ends, and to find the prevalence of excessive drinkers. DESIGN: Crossover observational study, with a population base. SETTING: Family and community medicine teaching centre of the Primary Care Clinic in Valls, a town with 20,004 inhabitants in the province of Tarragona. PARTICIPANTS: A random sample stratified by sex and age according to the municipal pattern (N = 327 people between 15 and 90). A home interview by the investigator, including a 24-hour record of alcohol consumption (discriminating between working days and the week-end). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Males consumed an average of 23 gr of alcohol per working day and 42.9 gr of alcohol per week-end day (86.5% increase). Women consumed an average of 5.1 gr of alcohol per working day and 18.1 gr per week-end day (255% increase). The proportion of excessive drinkers (more than 60 gr per day in men and 40 gr per day in women) was 12.4% of men and 4.8% of women on working days; and 32.3% of men and 19.9% of women on week-end days. Consumption was significantly related to gender and age groups. CONCLUSIONS: A notable increase in alcohol consumption at the weekend was noted. This is occurring most of all at the expense of the young, who apparently now regularly consume alcohol according to an Anglo-Saxon type pattern.