Denis Marcelo Modeneze

Body composition and quality of life (QoL) of the elderly offered by the "University Third Age" (UTA) in Brazil.

The investigation of the factors that interfere in the well-being of the elderly and their QoL can provide theoretical and methodological subsidies in structuring actions and policies in the health area, in order to fulfill the needs of that population. In this descriptive transversal study, body composition and QoL of elderly women at the UTA program in Piracicaba (São Paulo, Brazil) were verified. The participants were 81 women from UTA, and the general levels of physical activity were evaluated, as well as body weight (BW), height, and body mass index (BMI). The waist circumference (WC) was measured at the level of the umbilical scar and the body composition by impedance (BIA 310e). QoL was verified by means of WHOQOL-Bref and statistical analysis developed with the SAS program. The decrease of weight, height, BMI, and fat-free mass (FFM) was observed among the several age groups, although with no significant difference. The average levels of the general QoL scores and physical, psychological and environmental domains decreased in higher age groups, but social domains showed the opposite result. This fact can be a particular characteristic of the UTA group, and factors the influence such behavior are yet to be studied.

Consumo alimentar, estado nutricional e nível de atividade física em comunidade universitária brasileira

OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the food intake variability and frequency, nutritional status and level of physical activity of a university community in Brazil. METHODS: The sample comprised 303 volunteers (130 men and 173 women) from a university community in Sao Paulo state. They answered the International Physical Activity Questionnaire online and reported their weight and height. Statistical treatment included descriptive analysis, analysis of food intake frequency (Dietsys) and Spearmans rank correlation coefficient. RESULTS: Eating habits were inappropriate and many individuals were overweight or obese. There were more correlations among food groups for women who had better diets than men but the level of physical activity did not differ between the genders. There was no significant correlation between food groups and body mass index or level of physical activity for men or women. CONCLUSION: The study university community consumes little fruit, non-starchy vegetables, grains and legumes.

Body weight as an indicator of fat-free mass in active elderly women

OBJECTIVE Fat-free mass (FFM) reduction and the tendency for a reduction in surrounding fatty issue and increase in the middle are a natural consequence of growing old and should be studied in order to gain a better understanding of the aging process. This study set out to find the FFM differences between active elderly women in two age groups (60-69 and 70-80 years) and to determine which of the anthropometric measurements, body weight (BW), abdominal circumference (AC), or body mass index (BMI) are the best predictors of FFM variation within the group. METHODS Eighty-one (n=81) active elderly women of the Third Age willingly signed up to participate in the research during the activities at the University of the Third Age (UTA) in Brazil. The research was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Medical Sciences of the State University of Campinas (UNICAMP). Body weight (BW), height (H) and the BMI were measured according to the international standards. The AC was measured in centimetres at the H of the navel and body composition was ascertained using bioimpedance analysis. The SAS program was used to perform the statistical analysis of independent samples and parametric data. RESULTS The results showed FFM values with significant differences between the two groups, with the lowest values occurring among the women who were over 70 years of age. In the analysis, the Pearsons Correlation Coefficient for each measured independent variable was ascertained, with the BW measurement showing the highest ratio (0.900). CONCLUSIONS The BW measurement was regarded as reliable, low-cost and easy to use for monitoring FFM in elderly women who engage in physical activities.

Análise comparativa da qualidade de vida de adultos e idosos envolvidos com a prática regular de atividade física

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to identify differences in the quality of life of elderly and adults engaged in physical activity. METHODS: One hundred seventeen subjects engaged in physical activity, aged between 40 and 80 years, were investigated. To characterize the sample, the variables age, sex, income and educational level were analyzed. For comparison between groups of adults and the elderly were analyzed variables weight, height, body mass index, domains and facets of quality of life (Whoqol-Bref). The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was applied to analyze normality, and the Mann-Whitney test compared continuous or sortable between two independent groups; the value adopted was p<0.05. RESULTS: Significant differences were found for the psychological domain, social relationships domain and overall, and the elderly had the highest mean values. CONCLUSION: Active elderly, compared to active adults, have better perception of quality of life aspects from active life, the performance of activities of daily living, the acceptance of physical appearance, financial satisfaction and time availability for leisure activities.

Correlação entre nível de renda e os domínios da qualidade de vida de população universitária brasileira

OBJETIVO: O presente estudo teve por objetivo avaliar a associacao entre renda e os dominios da qualidade de vida de uma amostra da comunidade universitaria do Brasil. METODOS: A amostra constou de 1966 sujeitos da comunidade universitaria da Universidade Estadual de Sao Paulo (USP). A coleta de dados foi realizada por meio da internet . A avaliacao da qualidade de vida deu-se pela aplicacao do instrumento WHOQOL-bref (OMS), composto de 26 questoes, sendo 24 questoes distribuidas em 4 dominios - fisico, psicologico, relacoes sociais e meio ambiente - e duas questoes que avaliam a qualidade de vida geral. Para a classificacao do nivel de renda foi considerado a renda familiar em salarios minimos (SM) por niveis de ate 1 SM, entre 2 e 3 SM, entre 4 e 6 SM, entre 7 e 9 SM, e mais que 10 SM. Foi realizada a analise descritiva dos dados, teste de aderencia a distribuicao normal e, posteriormente, o teste de coeficiente de correlacao de Spearman foi aplicado para identificar possiveis associacoes entre renda e dominios da qualidade de vida. RESULTADOS: Os resultados de qualidade de vida indicaram maior valor medio no dominio fisico e menor valor medio no dominio meio ambiente. Ja os dados sobre a renda indicaram prevalencia de pessoas que recebem mais que 10 SM (40,5 %). O resultado indicou correlacao entre renda e o dominio meio ambiente. CONCLUSOES: O presente estudo permite concluir que o dominio do meio ambiente apresenta associacao com a renda, impactando a qualidade de vida da amostra estudada.

143 QUALITY OF LIFE AND AGING IN BRAZIL

Introduction: The number of elder people in the world is growing both in absolute and relative terms and India is not an exception. The greatest challenge over the coming years will be maintaining the health of this increasing number of older adult. Older people is a very arbitrary term here we mean is 60+years. Objective: To assess the food habit and food belief in eastern Rajasthan. Methods: Survey data collection: face to face interviews; food frequency questionnaire (dietary diaries); and follow-up interviews. 143 elderly people (aged 60+) randomly selected. Resuls: Elders of high income ate significantly (p<0.05) more than the recommended by the ICMR and more health conscious. Daily intake of lower income group is significantly low than the ICMR recommendation. Female of both income groups have less than recommendation and they are suffering from many diseases like overweight, arthritis, knee problem etc. Lower income group significantly (p<0.05) follow the traditional food whereas the high income group mix the global as well as traditional. Male live quality of life than female. Conclusions: Male is more calorie and health conscious and enjoys active aging than female.