[Environmental sociodemographic conditions associated with health-nutrition profiles among elderly people, Córdoba-Argentina]

Abstract

Introduction: Demographic trends indicate that population aging is not exclusive to developed countries. Argentina reaches 15.5% of the elderly population. The Covid-19 pandemic has brought to the forefront the public health situation of this population, challenging health systems, with disproportionate impacts on this group, which has suffered more than 80% of the deaths in the country, mainly in those with comorbidities.

Objective: To analyze the sociodemographic and environmental conditions involved in the process of development of health and nutrition profiles of the elderly people of Córdoba, Argentina 2020.

Methodology: Epidemiological, cross-sectional, population-based study that included 221 elderly people (≥60 years old), through random sampling. Data on sociodemographic and environmental conditions, health and dietary profiles were collected through structured interviews.

Results: The average age of the participants was 68 years. Eighty-five percent recognized neighborhood contamination, 38% of them being garbage dumps close to their homes. Eighty-nine percent reported at least one non-communicable disease (NCD) or associated risk factor and 66% were overweight (BMI≥25kg/m²). The presence of obesity (BMI≥30kg/m²) was associated (OR=2.05; CI 1.007-3.922) with the development of NCDs. Only 4% of the population complied with the daily fruit and vegetable consumption recommendation.

Conclusion: The predominant characteristics of the health and dietary profiles associated with NCDs identified suggest the need to study in depth the social determinants that condition the aging process.

Keywords: Elderly people; Enfermedades no transmisibles; Health and diet profiles; Non-communicable diseases; Perfiles de salud y alimentación; Personas adultas mayores.