Browsing by Author "López Mayorga, Dayana Nicole"

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    FRECUENCIA ALIMENTARIA Y RIESGO NUTRICIONAL EN ADULTOS MAYORES DE LA PARROQUIA ATAHUALPA
    (2026-06-18) López Mayorga, Dayana Nicole; Álvarez Córdova, Verónica Maribel; Universidad Técnica de Ambato / Facultad de Ciencias de Salud / Carrera de Nutrición y Dietética
    Introduction: Population aging presents a public health challenge due to the increased nutritional risk in older adults. The physiological, social, and dietary changes characteristic of this stage of life can lead to malnutrition, both from deficiency and excess. Assessing food frequency allows for the identification of consumption patterns associated with nutritional status and guides preventive strategies at the community level. Objective: To evaluate food frequency in older adults in the Atahualpa parish and its relationship to nutritional risk. Methodology: A quantitative, observational, analytical, and crosssectional study with the aim of analyzing the relationship between food frequency and nutritional risk in older adults was conducted with 60 adults aged 65 years and older using census sampling. A Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ), a 24-hour dietary recall, and the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) were administered. Anthropometric measurements of weight, height, body mass index, and mid-upper arm and calf circumference were taken. The data were statistically analyzed to establish associations between dietary frequency and nutritional risk. Results: 63.3% of the sample was female, and the average age was 76.1 years. According to BMI, 36.7% were overweight and 23.3% were underweight. According to the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), 51.7% showed risk of malnutrition and 30.0% showed established malnutrition. Frequent consumption of dairy products and meat was observed, while fish, nuts, and legumes were consumed infrequently. Lower protein and fluid intake was associated with a higher proportion of malnutrition. Conclusions: Inadequate dietary frequency is related to a high nutritional risk in older adults in the Atahualpa parish. Identifying consumption patterns allows for guiding community interventions aimed at improving diet quality and preventing complications associated with malnutrition.