The relationship between nutrirional status and handgrip strenght of elderly of the city of São Paulo. Brasil: Data from Sabe survey

Resumen

The study aimed to evaluate the relationship between nutritional status (NS) and handgrip strength (HS) of elderly of the city of São Paulo, Brazil. This cross-sectional epidemiological study, population- and useholdbased, is part of a multi-center study (SABE Survey), which was coordinated by the Pan-American Health Organization. The SABE survey reached 2143 elderly (³ 60 yrs old), from both sexes, from january/2000 to march/2001, and for the present analysis a group of 1894 (88.4%) was selected by probabilistic sampling. NS was determined by Body Mass Index (BMI) and arm muscle area (AMA) as independent variables. HS (dependent variable) was measured by dynamometer. Linear regression analyses were used to correlate the NS and HS, for both men and women, according to the age group (60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79 and ³ 80 years). The mean BMI (kg/m2) was higher while AMA (cm2) and HS (kg) were smaller for women than for men. There was a significant decline in BMI, AMA and HS with age in both sexes. HS was positively correlated to the BMI (r = 0.135 for females and r = 0.287 for males) and to AMA (r = 0.149 for females and r = 0. 421 for males). The analyses by age group showed correlation between HS and BMI for men (e” 70 years) and with AMA for men (all age groups) and women ( e” 80 years). These results allowed to the conclusion that the relationship between NS and HS is specific to the sex, age group and nutritional indicator.