Food consumption analysis in Spanish elderly based upon the Mini Nutritional Assessment Test

Background/Aims: Aged people are an increasing population group worldwide, and nutritional impairments may contribute to additional health problems. The characterization of food consumption of elderly people is a good approach to implementing adequate nutritional policies in order to improve their nutritional status. The aim of this study was to describe and analyze specific aspects of food intake based upon the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) test in a representative country sample. Methods: The survey consisted of a cross-sectional study assessing the nutritional status of 22,007 Spanish people aged 65 years or older using the MNA test. These data, including dietary information, were obtained by health professionals specifically trained to carry out the questionnaire. A multiple regression analysis was used to evaluate the contributing impact of the diet-related MNA questions on the total MNA score. Results: Differences in the food choices between men and women were found, but not in the mode of feeding. Obese and non-obese individuals, categorized by a body mass index (BMI) more or less than 30, showed similar intake patterns of protein-rich foods, but differences in fruits, vegetables and fluids. On the other hand, undernourished and non-undernourished subjects, according to the MNA criteria, revealed different food consumption. Loss of appetite and mode of feeding were the items with the highest influence the MNA total score. Conclusions: While age, gender and BMI considered together are responsible for 11.3% of the total MNA score, dietary-related items can predict the 62.4% of the total MNA classification in the overall elderly Spanish population

Impact of global and subjective mini nutritional assessment (MNA) questions on the evaluation of the nutritional status: The role of gender and age

Undernutrition is a quite common condition in the elderly, often identified using the mini nutritional assessment (MNA) test. The aim of this research was to study the independent value of the global and the subjective MNA questions to predict the undernutrition according to the full MNA score, and to analyze the influence of gender and age on such items. A total of 22,007 Spanish people 65 years of age or older were evaluated using the MNA test. These data were obtained by trained community pharmacists by using receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves. About 4.3% of the studied population were classified as undernourished according to the full MNA test. The subjective subscore (two questions) presented better predictive value than the global one (six questions). Indeed, 99.5% of subjects detected as well nourished using the MNA test were also correctly classified using the two subjective questions. In the present study, it was identified that the two subjective MNA questions can be an efficient tool for a quick screening to rule out non undernourished subjects

Valoración de la circunferencia de la pantorrilla como indicador de riesgo de desnutrición en personas mayores

BACKGROUND: Undernutrition is a very common situation among elderly, that is associated with increased morbidity and mortality rates. On the other hand, calf circumference (CC) is a direct anthropometric measurement, related to fat free mass. An early detection of an elderly undernutrition situation, based on CC assessment, could contribute to prevent its development and consequences. OBJECTIVE: To analyse the relationship between CC and a possible undernutrition situation, based on the application of the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) test, among Spanish subjects of 65 or more years old, including the gender and age influences. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out to assess the nutritional situation of an ambulatory population, from every area of Spanish geography (n = 22007), using the questionnaire MNA. Every subject surveyed was 65 or more years old when the test was done. RESULTS: There were statistically significant differences between subjects with a CC or= 31 cm, both men and women, in weight, height, body mass index (BMI), MNA total score and undernutrition classification. On the other hand, it was found that those elders with lower CC showed a higher undernutrition risk, both men and women, in every age range studied. CONCLUSIONS: It does exit an association between CC of Spanish subjects of 65 or more years old and the risk of developing undernutrition. That association is similar among men and women, and in all age ranges

Age of peak performance in Olympic sports: A comparative research among disciplines

This research aimed to study the ages of peak performance in Olympic sport disciplines, and to distinguish age groups among them. The ages (in decimal years) of athletes with the best performances at the 2012 Summer Olympics were considered (n = 3548). A total of forty sport disciplines were included; the athletics events were classified in six disciplines: Sprint, Middle-distance, Long-distance, Combined, Jumping and Throwing. A full statistical summary was produced. A regression tree was proposed for each gender to discriminate groups of sport disciplines according to age. The ages ranged from 14.0 to 52.8 years. The 72% of the athletes aged between 20 and 30 years, and the 99% aged below 40 years. The mean ages for men and women were 27.0 and 26.2 years, respectively. The regression tree analysis generated four groups of sport disciplines in men, and five in women. In men, the mean ages of the groups were: Group 1 = 24.4, Group 2 = 25.9, Group 3 = 28.0 and Group 4 = 30.8. In women, the mean ages of the groups were: Group 1 = 19.9, Group 2 = 22.7, Group 3 = 24.6, Group 4 = 26.5 and Group 5 = 28.3. The combat, gymnastics and swimming disciplines located mostly in the youngest groups in men; a similar tendency was evidenced in women, except for the combat sports. Apart from Combined, all athletics disciplines located in the groups 4 and 5 in women. On the contrary, these disciplines sited mainly in the groups 1 and 2 in men. All game and nautical sports placed in the two eldest groups in both genders, excluding women Water Polo

La Informática como materia fundamental en un sistema educativo del siglo XXI

Es innegable la importancia que ha alcanzado la informática en la sociedad, y ya es imprescindible para entender y tener éxito en el mundo actual. Sin embargo, en el currículo educativo de primaria y secundaria esta importancia no se ve reflejada, y la informática aparece como asignatura complementaria orientada a usuarios. Creemos que ha llegado el momento de que, al igual que en otros países avanzados, la informática dé el paso a materia troncal. Con la reciente reforma de la LOMCE se ha perdido una buena oportunidad para esto. Sin embargo, esto puede paliarse mediante la definición de una asignatura con estructura y contenidos concretos orientada al pensamiento computacional y a la formación de creadores.The importance of computing in our society is undeniable. It is essential to understand and be successful in the current world. However, the educational curricula for primary and secondary school does not reflect this, and computing appears just as a useroriented, complementary subject. We believe that the time has come for computing to be a core area, as it is in other advanced countries. The recent reformation of the education law in Spain (LOMCE) was a missed opportunity to achieve this. Nevertheless, it can be somehow remedied by defining a subject with a structure and concrete contents, oriented towards the computational thinking and the developing of creators

Nutritional assessment interpretation on 22.007 Spanish community-dwelling elders through the Mini Nutritional Assessment test

Objectives: To evaluate the prevalence of undernutrition among community-dwelling elderly people in Spain using the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) and to analyse its distribution according to age, gender and residence region. Design: Cross-sectional study assessing the nutritional status of elderly persons through both the short form and the full version of the MNA test. Setting: Pharmacy offices across the whole country (Spain) were enrolled to recruit participants. Subjects: A total of 22 007 participants (8014 men and 13 993 women), aged >= 65 years, assessed during the last two months of 2005. Results: According to MNA screening, 4.3% subjects were classified as undernourished (MNA score = 17 to <= 23.5). The MNA short form correlated strongly with the full MNA version (r = 0.85). MNA total score was significantly higher in men than in women (25.4 (SD 3.7) v. 24.6 (SD 3.9); P < 0.001) and lower in the oldest than in the youngest subjects (P < 0.001) in both genders. According to regional distribution, the best nutritional status was found in elderly from the north of Spain excluding the north-west area. Conclusions: Female gender, older age and living in the south half or northwest of the country were associated with higher rates of undernutrition among community-dwelling elderly persons in Spain

Intergenerational Communication – an interdisciplinary mapping review of research between 1996 and 2017

Concerns have been raised regarding the limited opportunities for intergenerational communication both outside and within the family. This “mapping review” draws together empirical literature in the topic published since 1996. Three hundred and twenty-four published studies met inclusion criteria, based on abstract review. The contents of each study were subjected to thematic analysis and nine broad themes emerged. These were (1) Dynamics of relationships, (2) Health & Well-being, (3) Learning & Literacy, (4) Attitudes, (5) Culture, (6) Digital, (7) Space, (8) Professional Development, and (9) Gender & Sexual Orientation. Studies commonly intersected disciplinary research areas. There was a marked rise across three key academic journals since 2007. An emergent finding was that a third of the studies relate to programs addressing intergenerational interventions, but many of these were primarily descriptive and failed to specify a primary outcome. Review implications and future research directions are discussed