Associação entre o consumo alimentar e o estado nutricional de crianças pré-escolares do município de Venâncio Aires ­ RS, Brasil

Introdução: Devido às alterações no padrão nutricional da população, o excesso de peso já acomete uma em cada três crianças pré-escolares no Brasil. Objetivo: Avaliar a associação entre o estado nutricional e o consumo alimentar dos pré-escolares das escolas municipais e particulares do município de Venâncio Aires, Vale do Rio Pardo, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Métodos: Estudo de corte transversal, descritivo e quantitativo da avaliação antropométrica de peso e altura, bem como, do consumo alimentar utilizando o formulário de marcadores de consumo alimentar do sistema de vigilância alimentar e nutricional de 508 crianças, dois a seis anos incompletos; aplicado entre novembro e dezembro de 2018. Resultados: A maioria das crianças apresentou Eutrofia (67,9%; n = 345), seguida de risco de sobrepeso (16,3%; n = 83), conforme o Índice de Massa Corporal para a Idade (IMC/I) e elevado consumo de alimentos ultra processados, tais como, bebidas adoçadas (59,8%; n = 304), macarrão instantâneo, salgadinhos de pacote ou biscoitos salgados (47,2%; n = 240) e biscoitos recheados, doces ou guloseimas (57,7%; n = 293). Nestas crianças, constatou-se que não tomar café da manhã foi associado de forma significativa ao hábito de fazer refeições em frente à televisão, computadores e celulares (p = 0,014). O consumo de hambúrguer e/ou embutidos (p < 0,001), macarrão instantâneo, salgadinhos de pacote e biscoitos salgados (p = 0,036), bem como, de biscoito recheado, doces ou guloseimas (p = 0,030) apresentou associação significativa ao ato de realizar as refeições em frente à televisão, computadores e celulares. Entretanto, o estado nutricional das crianças não foi associado de forma significativa ao consumo de alimentos ultraprocessados (p ≥ 0,05). Conclusão: No município de Venâncio Aires, não houve associação significativa entre o consumo de alimentos ultra processados e o estado nutricional entre as crianças pré-escolares. Entretanto, o consumo de alimentos industrializados, como hambúrguer e/ou embutidos, macarrão instantâneo, salgadinhos de pacote e biscoitos salgados e recheados, bem como, doces ou guloseimas, foi associado significativamente ao hábito de ingerir refeições em frente à televisão, computadores e celulares.

Nutritional status and dietary intake of pregnant women / Estado nutricional e ingesta dietaria de mujeres embarazadas

ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate weight gain during pregnancy according to the pregestational state in women who underwent prenatal care in Primary Health Care. Methods A cross-sectional study with the participation of 255 pregnant women. Socioeconomic and demographic variables were collected using a structured questionnaire. Women were evaluated for nutritional status and dietary intake. Data related to the age of the pregnant woman, gestational week, current weight, pregestational weight, and height were obtained from the prenatal follow-up form. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) was used for statistical analysis. Results Pregestational nutritional status assessment showed that 43.2% (n=110) of the women started gestation with overweight and 4.3% (n=11) started with low weight. 51% percent (n=130) gained gestational weight above the recommended level. The mean age of women with pregestational BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2 was significantly higher than that of those with BMI <25 kg/rrP (p<0.001). Total energy (p=0.037) and calcium (p=0.004) intake were higher in women with weight gain above the recommended. Discussion The results presented highlight the importance of strategies in public health to avoid excess weight gain during pregnancy. Conclusion Pregnant women presented a gestational weight gain above the recommended maximum value according to pregestational BMI, which may contribute to adverse maternal and infant outcomes.(AU)

RESUMEN Objetivo Evaluar la ganancia de peso durante el embarazo según el estado pregestacional en mujeres que se sometieron a atención prenatal en Atención Primaria de Salud. Métodos Se hizo un estudio transversal con la participación de las mujeres embarazadas. Las variables socioeconómicas y las variables demográficas se utilizaron a un cuestionario cuestionable. Las mujeres fueron evaluadas para el estado nutricional y la dieta. La relación con la edad de la mujer embarazada, la semana de gestación, obesidad, peso actual, peso previo a la gestación se obtuvieron de la forma prenatal. El Statistical Package para las Ciencias Sociales (SPSS) fue utilizado para el análisis estadístico. Resultados La evaluación del estado nutricional previo a la gestación reveló que el 43,2% (n=110) de las mujeres comenzaron su gestación con sobrepeso y el 4,3%, con un peso muy bajo. El 51% (n=130) obtuvo un peso gestacional por encima del recomendado. La edad media de las mujeres con un IMC previo a la gestación mayor o igual a 25 kg/m2 fue significativamente más alto que la de las mujeres con un BMI inferior a 25 km/ m2. La ingesta de energía total (p=0,037) y el calcio (p=0,004) fue mayor en las mujeres que subieron peso por encima del recomendado. Discusión Los resultados obtenidos resaltan la importancia de las estrategias de salud pública para evitar la ganancia de peso durante el embarazo. Conclusión Las mujeres embarazadas aumentan de peso por encima del valor máximo recomendados, acorde con el IMC previo a la gestación. Este hecho provoca consecuencias negativas en materia de maternidad e infancia.(AU)

Nutritional status and dietary intake of pregnant women.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate weight gain during pregnancy according to the pregestational state in women who underwent prenatal care in Primary Health Care. METHODS: A cross-sectional study with the participation of 255 pregnant women. Socioeconomic and demographic variables were collected using a structured questionnaire. Women were evaluated for nutritional status and dietary intake. Data related to the age of the pregnant woman, gestational week, current weight, pregestational weight, and height were obtained from the prenatal follow-up form. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Pregestational nutritional status assessment showed that 43.2% (n=110) of the women started gestation with overweight and 4.3% (n=11) started with low weight. 51% percent (n=130) gained gestational weight above the recommended level. The mean age of women with pregestational BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2 was significantly higher than that of those with BMI <25 kg/rrP (p<0.001). Total energy (p=0.037) and calcium (p=0.004) intake were higher in women with weight gain above the recommended. DISCUSSION: The results presented highlight the importance of strategies in public health to avoid excess weight gain during pregnancy. CONCLUSION: Pregnant women presented a gestational weight gain above the recommended maximum value according to pregestational BMI, which may contribute to adverse maternal and infant outcomes.

Estado nutricional e qualidade de vida em adultos e idosos com depressão / Nutritional status and quality of life in adults and older adults with depression / Estado nutricional y calidad de vida de adultos y mayores con depresión

OBJETIVO: Avaliar o estado nutricional e a qualidade de vida em adultos e idosos com e sem depressão. MÉTODOS: Estudo quantitativo e transversal, com 79 usuários das Unidades Básicas de Saúde de municípios do Vale do Taquari, Rio Grande do Sul. Para determinar os escores dos domínios (físico, psicológico, ambiental e social) de qualidade de vida (QV) foi aplicado o questionário World Health Organization Quality of Life-Bref e um questionário socioeconômico (idade, renda, escolaridade e estado civil). A avaliação antropométrica contemplou peso, estatura, Índice de Massa Corporal, Circunferência da Cintura (CC) e Circunferência do Pescoço (CP). O diagnóstico de depressão foi realizado por psicólogas. O nível de significância máximo assumido foi 5% (p≤0,05), análise realizada através do software SPSS versão 22.0. Utilizaram- se os testes Mann-Whitney, correlação de Pearson e qui-quadrado. RESULTADOS: Verificou-se correlação direta entre idade e domínio físico (p=0,017), psíquico (p<0,01), social (p=0,001) e ambiental (p=0,003). Os homens obtiveram média superior e significativa no domínio ambiental (p=0,009) em relação às mulheres. Os pacientes sem diagnóstico de depressão apresentaram média significativamente superior nos domínios físico (p=0,035) e psicológico (p=0,042). Em relação ao estado nutricional, a magreza e eutrofia apresentaram média superior no domínio físico (p=0,015). CONCLUSÃO: As melhores percepções sobre os domínios de QV foram observadas entre os homens, idosos e participantes sem diagnóstico de depressão. Verificou-se correlação direta entre a idade e todos os domínios e que os participantes depressivos eram, em sua maioria, obesos, com risco cardiovascular e sem risco de excesso de peso.

OBJECTIVE: To assess nutritional status and quality of life in adults and older adults with and without depression. METHODS: This is a quantitative cross-sectional study of 79 users of Primary Health Care Centers located in the municipalities in the Vale do Taquari, Rio Grande do Sul. To determine the scores of the Quality of Life (QoL) domains (physical, psychological, environmental and social) we used the World Health Organization Quality of Life-Bref questionnaire and a socioeconomic questionnaire (age, income, education and marital status). Anthropometric measurement included weight, height, Body Mass Index, Waist Circumference (WC) and Neck Circumference (NC). Diagnosis of depression was given by psychologists. The maximum significance level assumed was 5% (p≤0.05) and the analysis was performed using SPSS version 22.0. The Mann-Whitney test, the Pearson's correlation coefficient and the Chi-squared test were used. RESULTS: There was a direct correlation between age and the physical (p=0.017), psychological (p<0.01), social (p=0.001) and environmental (p=0.003) domains. Men scored significantly higher in the environmental domain (p=0.009) compared with women. Patients without a diagnosis of depression scored significantly higher in the physical (p=0.035) and psychological (p=0.042) domains. As for nutritional status, thinness and normal weight were associated with higher mean scores in the physical domain (p=0.015). CONCLUSION: The best perceptions of QoL domains were observed among men, older adults and participants without a diagnosis of depression. There was a direct correlation between age and all the domains, and depressive participants were mostly obese and presented cardiovascular risk, but without risk of presenting excess weight.

OBJETIVO: Evaluar el estado nutricional y la calidad de vida de adultos y mayores con y sin depresión. MÉTODOS: Estudio cuantitativo y transversal con 79 usuarios de las Unidades Básicas de Salud de los municipios del Vale de Taquari, Rio Grande do Sul. Se ha aplicado el cuestionario World Health Organization Quality of Life-Bref y un cuestionario socioeconómico (edad, renta, escolaridad y estado civil) para determinar las puntuaciones de los dominios (físico, psicológico, ambiental y social) de la calidad de vida (CV). En la evaluación antropométrica se ha incluido el peso, la estatura, el Índice de Masa Corporal, la Circunferencia de la Cintura (CC) e la Circunferencia del Cuello (CC). El diagnóstico de depresión ha sido realizado por psicólogas. El nivel de significación máxima asumido ha sido del 5% (p≤0,05) y el análisis ha sido realizado a través del software SPSS versión 22.0. Se utilizaron las pruebas de Mann-Whitney, la correlación de Pearson y el chi-cuadrado. RESULTADOS: Se verificó la correlación directa entre la edad y el dominio físico (p=0,017), el psíquico (p<0,01), el social (p=0,001) y el ambiental (p=0,003). Los hombres tuvieron la media superior y significativa para el dominio ambiental (p=0,009) en comparación a las mujeres. Los pacientes sin el diagnostico de depresión presentaron la media significativamente superior para los dominios físico (p=0,035) y el psicológico (p=0,042). Respecto el estado nutricional, la delgadez y la eutrofia presentaron media superior para el dominio físico (p=0,015). CONCLUSIÓN: Las mejores percepciones de los dominios de CV han sido observadas entre los hombres, los mayores y los participantes sin el diagnostico de depresión. Se verificó la correlación directa entre la edad y todos los dominios y que los participantes depresivos eran, en su mayoría, obesos, con riesgo cardiovascular y sin riesgo de exceso de peso.

Cálcio e vitamina D em adultos atendidos em ambulatório de nutrição / Calcium and vitamin D in adults attending an outpatient nutrition clinic / Calcio y vitamina D en adultos asistidos en ambulatorio de nutrición

Objetivo: Avaliar o consumo de cálcio e vitamina D de pacientes atendidos em um ambulatório de Nutrição de referência. Métodos: Estudo transversal quantitativo realizado no período de novembro de 2015 a junho de 2016 avaliou 1.000 recordatórios alimentares de pacientes na faixa etária de 20 a 59 anos do ambulatório de Nutrição de um centro universitário do interior do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Excluíram-se os recordatórios com medidas caseiras incompletas. Para a padronização dessas medidas utilizou-se registro fotográfico de um livro de medidas caseiras. Utilizou-se como referência para análise de ingestão do cálcio e vitamina D a Dietary Reference Intakes. Os dados foram analisados por meio de estatística descritiva e inferencial com nível de significância de 5%. Resultados: O consumo de cálcio e de vitamina D foi simétrico, apresentando 89,5% (n=895) de inadequação do consumo de vitamina D e 86,6% (n=866) de inadequação do consumo de cálcio, portanto, abaixo da recomendação diária. Homens apresentaram ingestão significativamente maior de cálcio em comparação às mulheres (p<0,001), enquanto o consumo de vitamina D não apresentou diferença significativa entre os sexos (p=0,307). Conclusão: Verificou-se elevada inadequação quanto à ingestão de cálcio e vitamina D pela população estudada.

Objective: To assess calcium and vitamin D intake in patients attending a reference outpatient nutrition clinic. Methods: Quantitative cross-sectional study carried out from November 2015 to June 2016 to analyze 1,000 dietary recalls of patients aged 20 to 59 years attending an outpatient nutrition clinic of a university center in the countryside of Rio Grande do Sul. Recalls with incomplete household measures were excluded. Measures were standardized using pictures from a household measures book. The analysis of calcium and vitamin D intake was based on the Dietary Reference Intakes. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics with a significance level of 5%. Results: Calcium and vitamin D intake was symmetrical, with 89.5% (n=895) of inadequate vitamin D intake and 86.6% (n=866) of inadequate calcium intake, i.e., below the daily recommendation. Men presented significantly higher calcium intake compared to women (p<0.001), while vitamin D intake showed no significant differences between genders (p=0.307). Conclusion: There was a high inadequacy of calcium and vitamin D intake in the population analyzed.

Objetivo: Evaluar el consumo de calcio y vitamina D de pacientes asistidos en un ambulatorio de nutrición de referencia. Métodos: Estudio transversal cuantitativo realizado en el período entre noviembre de 2015 y junio de 2016 evaluó 1.000 recordatorios alimentarios de pacientes en la franja de edad entre 20 y 59 años del ambulatorio de nutrición de un centro universitario de un pueblo de Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Se excluyeron los recordatorios con las medidas caseras incompletas. Para la estandarización de esas medidas se utilizó el registro fotográfico de un libro de medidas caseras. Se utilizó como referencia para el análisis de la ingesta de calcio y vitamina D la Dietary Reference Intakes. Los datos fueron analizados a través de la estadística descriptiva e inferencial con el nivel de significación del 5%. Resultados: El consumo de calcio y vitamina D ha sido simétrico presentando el 89,5% (n=895) de inadecuación para el consumo de vitamina D y el 86,6% (n=866) de inadecuación para el consumo de calcio, por lo tanto, abajo de la recomendación diaria. Los hombres presentaron ingesta significativamente mayor de calcio en comparación con las mujeres (p<0,001) mientras el consumo de vitamina D no ha presentado diferencia significativa entre los sexos (p=0,307). Conclusión: Se verificó una elevada inadecuación de la ingesta de calcio y vitamina D de parte de la población estudiada.

Cardiovascular risk factors in children. / Fatores de risco cardiovascular em crianças.

INTRODUCTION: Systemic hypertension is one of the main risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Early diagnosis and treatment of hypertension in childhood can potentially have a significant impact on future adverse outcomes. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship of diastolic (DBP) and systolic blood pressure (SBP) with anthropometric data and area of residence of children in municipalities of Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study of 709 children between six and nine years of age. Blood pressure, weight, height and waist circumference (WC) were measured. Statistical tests had a maximum significance level of 5% (p≤0.05) and the software used was SPSS version 13.0. RESULTS: Obesity was significantly associated with pre-hypertension, and stage 1 and 2 hypertension as assessed by DBP and SBP (≤0.05); high WC was significantly associated with a classification of pre-hypertension and stage 1 hypertension based on DBP and a classification of stage 1 and 2 hypertension based on SBP (≤0.01). CONCLUSION: Children living in urban areas had significantly higher mean SBP than those living in rural areas. Those with high WC presented higher SBP and DBP compared to children with normal WC. Obese children showed higher mean SBP and DBP compared to those who were overweight or normal weight and mean SBP and DBP also increased with older age and higher mean body mass index and WC.

Positive association between waist-to-height ratio and hypertension in adolescents. / Associação positiva entre razão cintura-estatura e presença de hipertensão em adolescentes.

INTRODUCTION: The obesity and overweight epidemic, together with increasing cardiovascular disease, represent a major public health problem worldwide, and their occurrence in childhood and adolescence has increased in recent decades. The objective of this study was to assess the association between waist-to-height ratio (WHR) and the incidence of hypertension in adolescents. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional study of adolescents aged 10-17 years of both sexes attending municipal schools in inland Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Using a secondary database, weight and height measurements, blood pressure, and waist circumference (WC) were analyzed and body mass index (BMI) and WHR were calculated. Blood pressure was classified according to the Brazilian hypertension guidelines, BMI according to the curves of the World Health Organization, and WC according to Taylor et al. The cutoff used for WHR was 0.50 for both sexes. RESULTS: Of the 1030 adolescents studied, 29.6% (305) presented overweight/obesity and 30.4% (313) had hypertension; 24% (247) had high WC and 18.3% (189) presented high WHR. Participants with WHR ≥0.50 were 2.4 times more likely to have hypertension than those with WHR <0.50 (OR 2.39; 95% CI 1.73-3.32; p<0.001). CONCLUSION: A positive association was found between WHR and the presence of hypertension in adolescents.

THE EFFECT OF GARCINIA CAMBOGIA AS COADJUVANT IN THE WEIGHT LOSS PROCESS.

INTRODUCTION: due to the significant increase in the obesity rate in recent years, public health has been facing in many countries of the world, one of the major problems caused by this disease. Because of this, natural products arise, herbal, to assist in the treatment of obesity due to their safer effects. Among these, stands out the extract obtained from dried fruits of Garcinia Cambogia (GC), which has been studied and used as a natural supplement for weight loss. OBJECTIVE: to investigate the GC administration as a coadjuvant factor in the treatment of obesity regarding to its effectiveness, way of action, recommended daily amount, side effects and contraindications, as a way of food and nutritional security for the population. METHODOLOGY: literature review. There were consulted the database of LILACS-BIREME data, SciELO and MEDLINE and there were selected scientific articles published in English, Portuguese and Spanish, between the period of 2007 and 2014 that conducted studies involving the administration of the GC as a way of treatment for obesity. The descriptors used for research articles in the databases were the following: Garcinia Cambogia in Portuguese, and in English the terms used were "Garcinia Cambogia", "weight loss and obesity", and "Hydroxycitric Acid (HCA)"; this last one is not a descriptor indexed in Decs, but given the importance of this term for the search, it was adopted as a keyword. Thirty-four articles were identified, but only 21 were related to the objectives of this study. The first analysis of the articles was conducted by the title and then by the summary. In addition, 17 references were included because of their relevance to the study. RESULTS: in some analyzed works, there was observed that the GC showed positive effects on weight loss process, appetite reduction, body fat percentage, triglycerides, cholesterol and glucose levels, lipogenesis process, while others had no effect. CONCLUSION: studies suggest positive results about the effectiveness of the GC on the weight loss process. However, the ideal dosage has not been well established yet. There is little evidence of adverse effects and signs of protective effect against hepatotoxicity induced by ethanol. Therefore, it becomes necessary to carry out further studies to confirm the efficacy of this phytotherapy in the weight loss process.

Introducción: debido al aumento significativo de la tasa de obesidad en los últimos años, la salud pública se ha enfrentado en muchos países del mundo a los principales problemas causados por esta enfermedad. Debido a ello, surgen productos naturales, a base de hierbas, para ayudar en el tratamiento de la obesidad debido a sus efectos más seguros. Entre estos productos destaca el extracto obtenido a partir de frutas secas de Garcinia Cambogia (GC), que se ha estudiado y utilizado como un suplemento natural para la pérdida de peso. Objetivo: investigar la administración de GC como un factor coadyuvante en el tratamiento de la obesidad en cuanto a su eficacia, la forma de acción, la cantidad diaria recomendada, los efectos secundarios y las contraindicaciones, para su uso como un suplemento alimentario natural en la pérdida de peso. Metodología: revisión de la literatura. Se consultaron las bases de datos LILACS-BIREME, SciELO y MEDLINE, y se seleccionaron los artículos científicos publicados en inglés, portugués y español, entre el período de 2007 y 2014, llevando a cabo estudios sobre la administración de la GC como una forma de tratamiento de la obesidad. Los descriptores utilizados para los artículos de investigación fueron: en portugúes Cambogia Garcinia, y en inglés "Garcinia Cambogia", "pérdida de peso y obesidad", y "ácido hidroxicítrico (HCA)"; este último no es un descriptor indexado en Decs, pero dada la importancia de este término para la búsqueda, se adoptó como una palabra clave. Se identificaron treinta y cuatro artículos, pero solo 21 estaban relacionados con los objetivos de este estudio. El primer análisis de los artículos fue realizada por el título y luego por el resumen. Además, se incluyeron 17 referencias por su relevancia para el estudio. Resultados: en algunos trabajos analizados se observó que GC mostró efectos positivos en el proceso de pérdida de peso, reducción de apetito, porcentaje de grasa corporal, triglicéridos, niveles de colesterol y glucosa y proceso de lipogénesis; mientras que en otros no produjo ningún efecto. Conclusión: los estudios sugieren resultados positivos con respecto a la eficacia de la GC en el proceso de pérdida de peso. Sin embargo, la dosis ideal no ha sido aún bien establecido. Hay poca evidencia de efectos adversos y signos de efecto protector contra la hepatotoxicidad inducida por el etanol. Por lo tanto, se hace necesario llevar a cabo más estudios para confirmar la eficacia de esta fitoterapia en el proceso de pérdida de peso.

Applicatility of the visceral adiposity index (VAI) in the prediction of the components of the metabolic syndrome in elderly / Aplicabilidad de la adiposidad visceral del índice VAI en la predicción de componentes del síndrome metabólico en ancianos

The nutritional assessment may detect a state of malnutrition, overweight and cardiometabolic risk in the elderly. Easy to apply instruments enable the identification of risk factors for cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Objective: to analyze the applicability of Visceral Adiposity Index (VAI) in the prediction of MS components in the elderly. Methods: cross-sectional study with 221 elderly at a mean age of 70.65 ± 7.34 years; 53.4% female and 46.4% male. Weight, height, waist circumference (WC), fasting glucose, triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), HDL cholesterol (HDL-C), LDL cholesterol (LDL-C), and blood pressure (BP), data was obtained, as well as information about lifestyle. There were calculated the Body Mass Index (BMI), the Waist-Hip Ratio (WHR), and the VAI. The adiposity measures were compared with the components of MS, and for the VAI there was determined the capability of predicting the occurrence of MS components. Results: by analyzing the association among the biochemical and pressoric variables and MS components with the anthropometric indicators of obesity, there was a direct and significant correlation of the BMI, the weight and the VAI with blood glucose, HDL and TG (p<0.01); the VAI was the indicator with the strongest correlation for all parameters. The WC associated significantly with the HDL and the TG, and the WHR only with the HDL. Regarding to the applicability of the VAI in the determination of the relative risk of occurrence of MS components, the VAI was good predictor of abdominal obesity (OR = 1.27, p<0.001), hyperglycemia (OR = 1.10, p=0.043), hypertriglyceridemia (OR = 3.64, p<0.001) and low HDL-c (OR = 2.26, p<0.001). Conclusion: the VAI showed association with components of the metabolic syndrome in men and women with increased risk of abdominal obesity, hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and low HDL-c, proving to be a good predictor of MS components in the elderly (AU)

La evaluación nutricional puede detectar un estado de desnutrición, sobrepeso y riesgo cardiometabólico en los ancianos. Fácil de aplicar, los instrumentos permiten la identificación de factores de riesgo de enfermedades cardiovasculares (ECV). Objetivo: analizar la aplicabilidad del Índice de Adiposidad Visceral (VAI) en la predicción de los componentes del SM en los ancianos. Métodos: estudio transversal con 221 personas mayores con una edad media de 70,65 ± 7,34 años; 53,4% mujeres y 46,4% hombres. Se obtuvieron peso, talla, circunferencia de la cintura (CC), glucosa en ayunas, triglicéridos (TG), colesterol total (CT), colesterol HDL (HDL-C), colesterol LDL (LDL-C) y presión arterial (PA), así como información acerca del estilo de vida. No se calcularon el índice de masa corporal (IMC), la relación cintura-cadera (WHR) y el VAI. Las medidas de adiposidad se compararon con los componentes de la MS, y para el VAI no se determinó la capacidad de predecir la ocurrencia de los componentes del SM. Resultados: el análisis de la asociación entre las variables bioquímicas y de presión y los componentes del SM con los indicadores antropométricos de obesidad evidencia que existe una correlación directa y significativa entre el índice de masa corporal, el peso y el VAI con la glucosa en sangre, colesterol HDL y TG (p < 0,01); el VAI fue el indicador con la correlación más fuerte para todos los parámetros. El WC se asoció significativamente con el HDL y TG, y el RHO solo con el HDL. En lo que respecta a la aplicabilidad de la VAI en la determinación del riesgo relativo de aparición de los componentes del SM, el VAI era buen predictor de obesidad abdominal (OR = 1,27, p < 0,001), hiperglucemia (OR = 1,10, p = 0,043), hipertrigliceridemia (OR = 3,64, p < 0,001) y bajos niveles de HDL-c (OR = 2,26, p < 0,001). Conclusión: el VAI mostró asociación con componentes del síndrome metabólico en los hombres y las mujeres con mayor riesgo de obesidad abdominal, hiperglucemia, hipertrigliceridemia y bajos niveles de HDL-c, demostrando ser un buen predictor de componentes del SM en los ancianos (AU)