Factors associated with metabolic complications and feeding in elderly from the rural area

This study aimed to evaluate factors associated with metabolic complications and feeding in the elderly from rural area, in Uberaba, Minas Gerais, guided by the "10 Steps to Healthy Eating for Older People" of the Ministry of Health. Household services with 833 people, aged 60 or older, with no cognitive decline were conducted. Data were collected using Food Frequency Questionnaire, anthropometric measurements, being submitted to descriptive analysis, prevalence rate and Chi-Square Test (p < 0.05). Metabolic complications were associated with female gender (p = 0.001) and overweight (p = 0.006). Women were suited to five steps: number of meals, adequate intake of milk and lean meat, reduced consumption of soft drinks, sweets and salt, physical activity practice, not smoking and not drinking alcohol; while men followed three steps: adequate intake of cereals, rice and beans and water. Seniors with less than 80 years complied most with water consumption. Three steps were associated with normal weight, two with no-risk rating for metabolic complications and none with schooling. It is concluded that the diet of the rural elderly is not appropriate to healthy eating recommendations of the Ministry of Health.