Consumo alimentar de idosos brasileiros de acordo com a composição domiciliar : análise do Inquérito Nacional de Alimentação 2017-2018

Abstract

Background: The demographic transition, observed in Brazil and in several countries, has triggered, among other manifestations, changes in household composition, defined as people living together in the same household, with some degree of kinship or in a household relational situation. In this context, household composition can influence eating habits, depending on whether the person lives alone, with a spouse, with a spouse and children, with a spouse, children, and grandchildren, only with grandchildren, or other types of household structures. Objective: To describe the food consumption of elderly Brazilians according to household composition. Methods: Cross-sectional study, with elderly participants of the Brazilian National Dietary Survey (INA) carried out in 2017-2018, representing the Brazilian population. Dietary intake was assessed using a 24-hour dietary recall. Household composition was assessed using the Household and Resident Characteristics questionnaire. The frequencies and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) of consumption of the analyzed food groups were estimated according to household composition, for the total population and by gender, and the differences were verified by the non-overlapping of the 95%CI. In the statistical analyses, the sample weights and the effect of the study design were considered. Results: The sample consisted of 8,336 elderly people, 55.8% female, mean age equal to 70.0 years (95%CI= 69.7; 70.3) and the number of residents in the households was 2 .7 people on average. Among the elderly, 15.8% lived alone, 27.7% lived with another elderly person(s), 3.7% lived with children and/or adolescents, 35.1% lived with adult(s) and 17.6% lived with adult(s), child(ren) and/or teenager(s). In general, for elderly people who lived alone, a lower frequency of consumption of rice and preparations, beans and legumes, poultry and preparations, coffee and tea and margarines were observed, and a higher frequency of consumption of alcoholic beverages, fried and baked snacks and milk. The elderly who lived with another elderly person(s) had a higher frequency of consumption of vegetables, oilseeds, alcoholic beverages, oils and fats, and cream cheese. The elderly who lived with children and/or adolescents had a higher frequency of consumption of juices and a lower frequency of consumption of dairy drinks and yogurts. The elderly who lived with an adult(s) had a higher frequency of consumption of sauces and condiments. Elderly people who lived with adult(s), children and/or adolescents had a lower frequency of consumption of vegetables, fruits and cheeses and a higher frequency of consumption of açaí and salted meats. Additionally, differences were observed in some frequencies of food consumption according to gender, as elderly men who live alone had a higher frequency of alcohol consumption compared to those who live with adolescents and children and those who live with adults, adolescents and children and elderly women who live alone had a lower frequency of consumption of beans and legumes compared to the other compositions. Conclusion: Statistically significant differences were observed in the food consumption of the elderly according to household composition. Thus, the importance of considering the composition of the household in the planning of actions and public policies aimed at adequate support for healthy aging is highlighted.