Baixa qualidade da dieta de idosos: estudo de base populacional

Abstract

The study aimed to identify the factors associated to low diet quality in older adults. A crosssectional, population-based was carried out in Pelotas, Southern Brazil, with a sample of 1,426 older adults. The diet quality was assessed using a score, which attributed points according to consumption frequency of some foods. The total score ranged from 11 to 33 points, and was divided in terciles. Multinomial logistic regression was used for the analysis. Low diet quality was characterized by reduced consumption of healthy foods and increased consumption of unhealthy food. Factors associated with low diet quality were: male, low education, financial difficulties to buy food, underweight, mouth or teeth problems, having less than four meals a day, low daily water intake and have not decreased salt intake. Considerations to different aspects, which may be a barrier to the adoption of a healthy diet in older adults, must be done.