Abstract :
Objectives: The objectives of this study were to assess data on the consumption frequency of some
food items and the places they are purchased, especially by adults and elderly subjects, and finally to determine
their food preference using cluster and correspondence analyses as a diagnosis and prevention factor. Design:
Cross-sectional study. Setting: Town of Serranópolis do Iguaçú, State of Paraná, Brazil, city with 4,854
inhabitants of which 22% are over 50 years old. Participants: Two hundred and ninety five randomly selected
subjects (96 men and 199 women), between 51 and 91 years old. Measurements: A socio-demographic and food
frequency questionnaire was applied via home visits including questions on socioeconomic, anthopometric and
health characteristics concerning the consumption frequency of 45 food items and the places they were
purchased, using a five point category scale to obtain consumption data as well. The body mass index (BMI) was
calculated using the Quetelet Index and compared with the World Health Organization Report Consultation on
obesity. The cluster and correspondence statistical analysis were used to determine their food preference. Results:
From the correspondence mapping (which explained 89.1 % of the variance), it was possible to determine aspects
regarding the non-consumption of instant soups, frozen vegetables, cookies, crystallized fruits, canned fruit,
distilled drinks and beer. Conclusions: The dimensional representation structure demonstrated that the population
of Serranópolis, who were 62 % overweight, preferred high fat content products, suggesting a reevaluation of
their eating habits in the expectation of preventing non transmissible chronic diseases. The value given to farm
production in Serranópolis do Iguaçú was also observed.
Keywords :
adults , ELDERLY , Consumers , food frequency questionnaire , cluster analysis
