ALIMENTARY FEATURES OF ELDERS LIVING IN POOR COMMUNITIES OF THE METROPOLITAN REGION OF CHILE

Background: The higher life expectancy of the Chilean population has r equired a greater concern about health and nutrition of elderly people . Aim: To assess the alimentation of people over 65 years old, living in communities of the Metropolitan Region with high social vulnerabili ty. Material and Methods: A random and representative sample of 257 el ders living in the poorest communities of Santiago was studied. They w ere interviewed in their homes about feeding patterns, the alimentatio n of the day before and their nutritional status. Mean energy and nutr ient consumption and their fitting to FAO/WHO energy and National Rese arch Council micronutrient recommendations were calculated. A feeding quality index, that considers the adequacy of consumption of all nutri ents, was calculated. Results: Except for bread median consumption of all groups of foods was below recommendations. Median energy and prote in consumption was 1438 Kcal and 53.9 g in men and 1118 Kcal and 37.7 g in women. Adequacy of consumption of all nutrients was low and the i ntake of energy protein, calcium, iron and folate was significantly lo wer in women than in men. The factors associated with feeding quality in these subjects were a last meal of the day before different from su pper more then 15 hours of morning fasting and sex. Conclusions: Alime ntation of elders living in poor communities of Santiago is severely d eficient. Focalized intervention models to improve this situation shou ld be devised.