Anthropometric indicators and their adequacy in older adults from two towns in distinct Brazilian regions

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To compare anthropometric indicators and their adequacy among older adults from two towns of distinct Brazilian regions. METHODS: A cross-sectional, population, and household-based epidemiological study. A total of 793 persons (age ≥ 60) from the Southern and Northeastern regions of Brazil were evaluated, according to age groups (60-69, 70-79, and ≥ 80 years) and sex. Data for body mass, height, body mass index, triceps skinfold thickness, arm muscle circumference, arm, waist and calf circumferences are presented. The prevalence of adequate anthropometric indicators was also compared for body mass index, arm circumference arm muscle circumference, triceps skinfold thickness, calf circumference and waist circumference. RESULTS: Subjects from the Southern region (n = 477) showed significantly greater mean values for all anthropometric variables vs. subjects from the Northeastern region (n = 316). Underweight (BMI < 22.0 kg/m2) was prevalent in the Northeast, overweight (BMI > 27.0 kg/m2) in the South. Older adults from the Northeast presented a higher proportion of adequate weight circumference. Other measured anthropometric indicators revealed a greater proportion of older adults with nutritional adequacy in the Southern region. CONCLUSION: This study provides information that can be used for anthropometric assessment of older adults in towns within the same context. Older adults of the two regions show vulnerable nutritional status, deficiency in the northeastern and excess in the southern region.