Abstract

CORNATOSKY, MA; BARRIONUEVO, OT; RODRIGUEZ, NL  and  ZEBALLOS, JM. Older adults' eating habits in two regions of Catamarca, Argentina. Diaeta [online]. 2009, vol.27, n.129, pp.11-17. ISSN 1852-7337.

This work describes the eating habits of an older adult population in the Eastern region (ER) and Western region (WR) of Catamarca, Argentina. It is an epidemiologic, descriptive and transversal study with a random sample (n= 135) of co-ed older adults (60-79 years old). The information was gathered through a questionnaire on the qualitative food intake frequency of a selected series of protective food and risk food associated with non-transmissible chronic diseases (NTCD). The frequency was classified into null, high, moderate and low. The difference among food intake frequencies was quantified by calculating proportions with a 0.01 significance level. SPSS 10.0 statistical package for Windows and InfoStat 2009 software were used to deal with data. It was observed that the WR population chooses healthier food-characterized by a greater variety and a higher frequency of daily food intake- than the ER population. Besides, said food is "protective" as it has anti-oxidant capacity. Both populations showed similar intake frequencies of "risk" food -rich in simple carbohydrates and saturated fats. The results show no evidence enough to be independently associated with morbid-mortality rates due to NTCD. It has been postulated that the eating habits acquired during childhood persist in adult age. However, it is particularly important to spread the notion that older adults should adopt eating habits and lifestyles that minimize the additional risk of bad health and leverage the perspectives of an active and healthy aging.

Keywords : Bioethics principles; Terminal patient; Forced feeding; Food choice.

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