The Association between Socioeconomic Characteristics and Consumption of Food Items among Brazilian Industry Workers

Background. Dietary pattern plays a causative role in the rising of noncommunicable diseases. The SESI (Serviço Social da Indústria) study was designed to evaluate risk factors for noncommunicable diseases. We aimed to describe food items consumed by Brazilian workers and to assess their association with socioeconomic status. Methods. Cross-sectional study was carried out among Brazilian industrial workers, selected by multistage sampling, from 157 companies. Interviews were conducted at the work place using standardized forms. Results. 4818 workers were interviewed, aged 35.4 ± 10.7 years, 76.5% were men. The workers had an average of 8.7 ± 4.1 years of schooling and 25.4 ± 4.1 kg/m2 of BMI. Men and individuals with less than high school education were less likely to consume dairy products, fruits, and vegetables daily, even after control for confounding factors. Men consumed rice and beans daily more often than women. In comparison to workers aged 50–76 years, those under 30 years old consumed less fruits and green leafy vegetables daily. Conclusion. The food items consumed by Brazilian workers show that there are insufficient consumption according to the guidelines of healthy foods, particularly of dairy products, vegetables, and fruits

Transtornos Neuropsiquiátricos em Idosos Institucionalizados no Sul de Santa Catarina (Brasil)

Contexto: O processo de envelhecimento está associado às doenças que podem comprometer o bom funcionamento do sistema nervoso central. Objetivo: Avaliar característica de declínio cognitivo e prevalência de sintomas depressivos e sua associação com dados sociodemográficos de idosos institucionalizados em três instituições de longa permanência do sul de Santa Catarina. Métodos: Estudo transversal, avaliando todos idosos institucionalizados em Tubarão e Laguna/SC. Participaram da presente pesquisa 66 idosos, com idade maior ou igual a sessenta anos, de ambos os gêneros. Para coleta de dados utilizou-se um questionário padronizado abordando dados sociodemográficos, a Escala de Depressão Geriátrica reduzida (EDG-15) e o Mini-Exame do Estado Mental. Resultados: A população estudada era predominantemente feminina, viúva e média de idade 77,3±9,9anos. Sintomas depressivos estiveram presentes em 62,1% dos idosos. Possível déficit cognitivo esteve presente em 37,87% da população. Conclusão: Alta prevalência de sintomas depressivos e déficit cognitivo estiveram presentes nos idosos residentes nas instituições de longa permanência pesquisadas. Diante de tais fatos, o serviço de saúde do Brasil deve estar preparado para avaliar e tratar tais pacientes, a fim de melhorar a qualidade de vida dos idosos institucionalizados.Background: The process of aging is associated with the diseases that may compromise the proper functioning of the central nervous system. Objectives: To evaluate the prevalence of cognitive decline and depressive symptoms and their relationship with sociodemographic characteristics of institutionalized elderly in three long-stay institutions in south of Santa Catarina. Methods: cross-sectional study was carried out with all institutionalized elderly in Tubarão and Laguna (SC). In this study were interviewed 66 individuals, 60 years of age or older, male and female. The data collection was performed through a standardized questionnaire with sociodemographic characteristics, the Geriatric Depression Scale in the reduced form (GDS-15) and Mini-Mental State Examination. Results: The study population was predominantly female, widowed, mean age 77.3±9.9 years old. Depressive symptoms were present in 62.1% of institutionalized elderly. The cognitive decline was present in 37.87% of the institutionalized elderly. Conclusion: High prevalence of depressive symptoms and cognitive deficits were present in the elderly living in long-stay institutions surveyed. Given these facts, the health service in Brazil should be prepared to evaluate and treat institutionalized elderly, improving the quality of life of elderly patients