Análise do perfil nutricional das refeições servidas em estruturas residenciais para pessoas idosas na região metropolitana do Porto

Abstract

The world has been seen a significant increase in elderly individuals in the global population. For the World Health Organization (WHO), a person is considered elderly from the age of 60 and this organization predicts that by 2030, 1 in 6 people in the world will be 60 years old or older. Due to a series of factors associated with aging, the elderly population has a deficient food intake. This phenomenon will impact the correct qualitative and quantitative balance of macro and micronutrients in their diet, compromising their health status. Nutritional deficiencies among the elderly is a worrying situation, especially when it involves those who are institutionalized. This study intended to make a comparative analysis between the nutritional profile of the menus of 20 residential structures, for elderly people in the metropolitan region of the city of Porto, and the recommendations of health authorities regarding energy, carbohydrates, sugars, protein, total fat, saturated fat, calcium, zinc, magnesium, iron, sodium and vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B6, B9, B12, C and E. Comparisons were made taking into account the legalnature and size of the Institutions, as well as the sort of meal production, whether concessionaded or in-house. All Institutions meet the recommendations for carbohydrates, sugars and total fat, however, it is critical to observe that none meet the intake limits for cholesterol and saturated fat. The recommendation for five of the fourteen micronutrients analyzed (iron and vitamins A, B1, B6 and C) is met by the entirety of the Institutions. However, it was considered potentially worrying, the lack of compliance with the recommendations for calcium, magnesium and vitamin E, and the fact that the maximum sodium intake value was exceeded by the totality of the Institutions.

Date of Award	30 Jan 2024
Original language	Portuguese
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Elisabete Pinto (Supervisor) & Marta Correia (Co-Supervisor)