Abstract:

The continuous increase in the elderly population in the world, there is increasingly a need to study the characteristics of this group in order to meet their needs and thereby improve their quality of life. Thus, studying the diseases that most affect this population becomes essential, osteoporosis, for example, is a highly prevalent chronic disease in old age, considered a public health problem, whose main risk factors are unhealthy diet, and in in inactivity. Therefore this study aimed to search the calcium intake between 22 elderly participants of the Open University of the Third Age-UNATI as well as studying the factors that interfere with its absorption. Seniors answered a food frequency form and a food recall of 24 hours, then analyzed the prevalent risk factors for the group. A risk of inadequate intake of calcium regular consumption of caffeine was observed in all subjects, a finding also low consumption of dairy products, as other risk factors, suchas low intake of vitamin D, and by some participants, and high intake of protein and fiber. It was found that most of the elderly have adequate physical activity and frequent sun exposure. It was concluded that the studied sample low intake of calcium andvitamin D, which can be considered a risk for the development of some diseases, including osteoporosis.

Keywords: