Nutritional and cardiovascular disease risk in older persons living in Quilombola communities

This article aims to assess nutritional and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk based on anthropometric measures among older persons living in Quilombola communities in the state of Maranhão, Brazil. We conducted a cross-sectional study with 205 older persons living in 11 Quilombola communities in Bequimão, Maranhão. Nutritional and CVD risk were estimated according to sex and age group based on anthropometric indicators using Pearson's chi-square or Fisher's exact tests and analysis of variance, adopting a significance level of p<0.05. The study participants suffer precarious housing, basic sanitation and social conditions. Prevalence of nutritional and CDV risk was high across the sample, showing differences between sexes and age groups. Prevalence of excess weight was higher in women and the youngest age group, while prevalence of malnourishment and loss of muscle mass was higher in men and individuals aged 80 years and over. Prevalence of CVD risk was high across all age groups and higher in women than men. The older persons living in the Quilombola communities investigated by this study are socially vulnerable and showed high prevalence of low weight, loss of muscle mass and CDV risk. The prevalence of CVD risk was higher among women and the oldest age group.