Gerontology & Geriatric Research

Abstract

Poor Food Consumption in Middle Aged and Elderly Indigenous People in Southern Brazil

Analie Nunes Couto, Vanessa Binotto, Ana Karina Rocha, Denise Cantarelli Machado and Angelo Jose Goncalves Bos

Introduction: Considering the food as one of the basics for healthy aging, we identified important gaps in the knowledge of food habits and nutrition of southern Brazilian indigenous people.

Objective: This study evaluated the dietary intake of Kaingang and Guarani ethnic indigenous living in Porto Alegre and Planalto, Brazil.

Methodology: A cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study, with the participation of 150 indigenous people, aged between 40 and 104 years. Dietary intake was estimated by a 24-hour recall, conducted between July and August 2009.

Results: There was excessive consumption of foods rich in simple carbohydrates (candy and soda), and high intake of lipids of animal origin (lard as a base for some preparations), which is related to the increase risk of heart diseases. There was a low consumption of fruits and vegetables (sources of vitamins, minerals, fiber and bioactive compounds), foods that can reduce the risk of diseases.

Conclusions: The lack of one or more nutrients, called hidden hunger, is considered an important nutritional problem, as the stage prior to the appearance of detectable clinical diseases. Thus, the poor food choices or lack of access to good quality of food may be influencing the health status of these indigenous. It is noteworthy that food as a source of pleasure and cultural identity and family also may be necessary to approach health promotion respecting the food culture of this population.