Nível de conhecimento nutricional versus hábitos alimentares e estado nutricional de hipertensos e diabéticos usuários de uma unidade básica de saúde de Maceió, Alagoas

Abstract

The diet’s and nutrition’s role in the development of health and illness have been well documented mainly about excessive consumption of foods high in simple carbohydrates, trans fat and sodium, and the emergence of non-communicable chronic diseases. Thus, to know the level of nutritional knowledge of a particular population has been proposed by some research as an indicator able to influence food choices and possibly associate with the nutritional status and nutritive behavior. Objective: To survey the level of nutritional knowledge (NK) of hypertensive and diabetic patients accompanied by the Family Health Strategy in a Basic Health Unit of Maceió, Alagoas, as well as check the association between this and the socioeconomic and demographic conditions, nutritional status, lifestyle and food consumption. Methods: It was made a cross-sectional study of non-probability sample. The socioeconomic classification of the population participant of this study was realized by the Brazil Economic Classification Criterion (BECC, 2013). The nutritional status was evaluated according to body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and neck circumference (NC); food consumption by using a validated food frequency questionnaire for the population of hypertensive and diabetic patients of Maceió, Alagoas; lifestyle on physical activity, smoking and alcohol consumption (presence, absence or former smoker / drinker). The NK was assessed with a validated nutrition knowledge questionnaire for adults. Results: 52 patients were studied, 26, 9% were male sex and 73,1 % female, and average age of 49.54 ± 8.44 years. 50% (n=26) were in the economic class C2 and 51,9% (n=27) possessed only incomplete elementary school. 67,3% reported not be smokers, 69,2% didn't consume alcoholic beverage and 80,8% were sedentary. 53,8% (n=28) of the sample showed obesity, 82,7% (n=43)android adiposity and 80,8% (n=42) were with the high NC. The evaluation of food consumption pointed to a consumption of portions of vegetables, vegetables and dairy products below the recommended by the Food Guide for the Brazilian Population: the group of vegetables 1,78 ± 1,04 servings vs. 3 recommended servings and milk and derivatives 2.00 ± 1,73 servings vs. 3 recommended servings. 76,9% (n=40) of individuals presented NK level in category "intermediary". The overall average score based on the percentage of hits hit 60.45%. Statistically significant association was found between the NK, age, NC and consumption of fruit and vegetables: a greater knowledge was related to younger age, the NC values within the normal range and the higher consumption of fruits and vegetables. Conclusion: The association observed between the NK and the variables age, NC and consumption of fruits and vegetables leads to conclude that the improvement of knowledge of hypertension and diabetes about nutrition and feeding can be a useful process for prevention and treatment of these diseases.