Relationship between fat and protein dietary intake and associated factors in older adults in the city of São Caetano do Sul

Resumen

Objective
To assess the relationship between the usual dietary intake of fats and proteins and associated factors in older adults.
Methods
A descriptive cross-sectional study carried out with 295 older adults living in the city of São Caetano do Sul, Brazil. Dietary intake was assessed using two 24-hour dietary recalls and adjusted using the Multiple Source Method to characterize habitual intake. Fats (total and saturated) were assessed according to the percentage contribution of nutrients to total dietary energy (%) and were associated with the studied variables: sociodemographic, economic, lifestyle, nutritional status, and health variables.
Results
Percentage of fat consumption decreased with age and increased according to income level, and protein consumption was lower among those without spouses (p≤0.05). A negative linear correlation was observed between protein intake (%) and total energy intake, and a positive linear correlation was observed between protein intake and saturated fat intake in grams (p≤0.05).
Conclusion
The findings indicate that fat and protein intake was influenced by sociodemographic variables, and the relationship between the intake of protein-rich foods may impact the increase in the availability of saturated fats. These findings demonstrate the importance of access to nutritional counseling that impacts diet quality, particularly in the choice of protein sources with lower amounts of total and saturated fats, in order to reduce the risk and/or prevent cardiovascular diseases.