Percepção e satisfação corporal de idosos frequentadores de um centro de convivência em um município na fronteira oeste gaúcha

Abstract

In the aging period, some modificatons in the body composition may happen, since the changes related to nutritional status can compromise the body perception and impact on satisfaction with body image of older people. According to the exposed work , the objective was to analyze the perception and body satisfaction of elderly goers of a community center in a city of the state's western border We conducted a cross-sectional study with elderly individuals (age ≥ 60 years) of both sexes. The evaluation of the perception and satisfaction of these individuals was assessed by applying a range of silhouettes previously validated for the Brazilian population. Anthropometric measurements were also performed (weight, height, waist circumference) and interviews based on own questionnaire containing information of age, race/color, sex and physical activity. For data analysis, we used descriptive statistics. Of the 81 elderly participants of the study 92.60% were female, 51.90% of non-whites race and 59.30% aged between 60 to 69 years. In relation to body image, 86,40% present incorrect perception regarding to their real image and 70.40% presented no satisfaction with their bodies. The results showed that the perception and the body satisfaction of the elderly differed according to gender, age, level of physical activity and anthropometric measurement of waist circumference. Conclusion: The data presented suggest that most seniors present distortion of their real body image perception, as well as they were not satisfied with their current body image.