Perceived body image and health-related indicators among elderly women

Resumen

The aim of the study was to identify the association of the perceived body image, nutritional status, physical activity level, health indicators of and socio-demographic characteristics of elderly women. This cross-sectional study was also characterized as descriptive and correlacional, with a sample of 265 randomly selected women aged from 60 to 96 years, proportionally stratified by groups from the Friend’s Association, Groups for sharing live experiences and Open University for the Elderly of Jequié/BA. A questionnaire was used in an individual interview to obtain information on the socio-demographic characteristics (age, marital and economical status, family organization and income, and educational level), health indicators (subjective perceived health and self-reported health problems), physical activity level (IPAQ long version adapted for seniors) and perceived body image (PBI, a nine-silhouette scale). The measurements of body mass and stature allowed for computing body mass index (BMI), used as a parameter for nutritional status. Data analyses consisted of the descriptive and nonparametric statistics, as well as measures of association, using the level of significant at 5%. Among the elderly, 47.5% was aged 60 to 69 years and 48.3% was widow. They lived in homes with three generations (38.1%) and had low level of education: incomplete elementary school (88.7%). The elderly women were on retirement plan (58.5%), had monthly income up to minimum wage (51.7%) and belonged to socioeconomic class D (55.8%). As for the PBI, 54% of the women were dissatisfied, mainly for body mass excess (35.1%). PBI was associated to the nutritional status, i.e., an increase in the BMI category raised the proportion of dissatisfied seniors. However, PBI was not associated with socio-demographic characteristics, health indicator or physical activity level. Comparing satisfied and dissatisfied women, no differences were noted in physical activity level, age or stature. There were differences in body mass and in the BMI, where the satisfied elderly showed lower median values. In general, the elderly women were dissatisfied with their body image, and the dissatisfaction was associated with nutritional status. Physical activity level, age, educational level, family arrangement, socioeconomic status, family income, perceived health and self-reported health problems were not related to PBI among elderly women.