AGING, OBESITY AND FOOD CONSUMPTION IN THE ELDERLY

ABSTRACT People are growing older, and chronic diseases are becoming predominant; in this scenery obesity stands out, due to its increasing prevalence among the several age groups, including the elderly, and for its complications, either alone or associated with other morbid events, such as: arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus non-insulin dependent and cardiovascular diseases, which have high prevalence among aged people. Obesity, considered a public health problem, is an additional important risk for the elderly. Despite the multiple factors that determine alimentary consumption, aspects related to highly energetic diets, rich in animal fat, sugars, refined foods, and less fruits, vegetables and fibers content, suggest a contribution that favours que occurrence of obesity.