Abstract

Author(s): Previato, H. D. R. A.1; Dias, A. P. V.1; Nemer, A. S. A.2; Nimer, M.1

Introduction: The aging process causes functional changes such as reduced lean body mass and increased adipose tissue mainly among women. Therefore, to determine the elderly nutritional status is necessary to associate the body mass index to other anthropometric variables that express body fat distribution.

Objective: To evaluate the nutritional status of elderly women and the association between body mass index and waist circumference.

Methods: Cross-sectional study with 50 elderly women members of the Third Age Program Vitality and Citizenship, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Anthro - pometric measurements were weight, height, waist circumference and body mass index. Statistical analysis was performed using the software SPSS 17.0 and Epi Info 6.0.

Results: In the nutritional status classification, 66% of the women were overweight. Among overweight women, 100% had high waist circumference. However, 64.3% of women with normal weight also had the measure of central adiposity increased.

Conclusions: The right nutritional diagnosis in geriatric group requires the association of anthropometric indicators to identify more accurately all nutritional disorders in the elderly women population.