Associação entre a autoavaliação da qualidade da alimentação e fatores relacionados à saúde em idosos

Abstract

Objective To investigate the self-assessment of food quality and its associated factors among elderly participants of social groups. Methods This cross-sectional study interviewed 138 elderly participants from third age groups. The sociodemographic and health profile was defined based on the variables gender, age, education, marital status, disease occurrence, medication use, physical exercise, self-perception of health, alcohol consumption, and functional disability. The self-assessment of food quality was rated by the answers given to the question "Would you say the quality of your food is very good, good, reasonable or poor?". Weekly food intake was assessed using the food frequency questionnaire and classified by scores. Anthropometric assessment was based on the calculation and classification of body mass index and waist and calf circumferences. Multinomial logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with self-assessment of food quality, adopting p<.05 for significance of association. Results Self-rated quality of food as good or very good was identified in 71.7% of respondents, being independently and significantly associated with the perception of health as good/very good, the morning snack, and the consumption of vegetables and citrus fruits. Conclusion Self-assessment of food quality was associated with better health perception and healthier eating behaviors among community-dwelling elderly, and should be considered an instrument for nutritional screening in elderly care.