Relación entre el estado nutricional y el nivel socioeconòmico de adultos mayores no institucionalizados de Perú

Objective: To determine the nutritional status of non-institutionalized elderly (NE) and their relationship with different socioeconomic conditions. Method: 300 NE residents of Metropolitan Lima from different socioeconomic levels were randomly selected. The nutritional status was determined using Body Mass Index (BMI) and brachial perimeter. The NE was classified according to BMI: normal from 22 to 27, overweight from 27.1 to 29.9 and obesity ≥ 30 kg/m2. The dietary intake was evaluated with a reminder survey of 24 hours. Results: The prevalence of overweight was 48.3% (26% overweight and 22.3% obese) without significant differences between socioeconomic levels (SS) (p=0.088). Greater obesity in women than in men was observed with significant differences between SS (p=0.030). The highest prevalence of obesity was observed in females of SS medium (32%). The SS significantly influenced lipid consumption, vitamin C and calcium. The consumption of energy, protein, carbohydrates, fiber, iron and phosphorus, did not differ significantly with SS. Conclusions: The nutritional status and nutrient intake of NE showed no relation with socioeconomic level.