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The use of calf circumference measurement as an anthropometric tool to monitor nutritional status in elderly inpatients

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The journal of nutrition, health & aging

Abstract

Objective

The objective of this study was to identify the nutritional status of hospitalized elderly and verify if calf circumference can be a tool to monitor nutritional status in this population.

Methods

A total of 170 inpatients (79 men and 91 women) aged more than 60 years were assessed. Anthropometric and dietary assessments were done according to standard procedures. The software STATISTICA 6.0 was used for the statistical analysis. The confidence interval was set at 95% and significance level at 5% (p<0.05).

Results

Body mass index assessment revealed a high rate of underweight patients (45.3%), and arm circumference and triceps skinfold revealed a high prevalence of depletion. Males had more lean mass according to the mid-arm muscle circumference (p=0.017) and mid-arm muscle area (p=0.01), and females presented higher triceps skinfold values (p<0.001). There was a positive correlation between calf circumference and Body Mass Index (p<0.001), arm circumference (p=0.001), triceps skinfold (p=0.001), mid-arm muscle circumference (p=0.001), and mid-arm muscle area (p=0.001).

Conclusion

This study found a positive correlation between calf circumference and nutritional status of assessed patients indicating that this measurement can be used as a complementary tool for monitoring the nutritional status of elderly inpatients.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Nutrition, Pontificia Catholic University, PUC/Campinas, SP, Brazil

    Kátia Cristina Portero-McLellan, C. Staudt, F. R. F. Silva, J. L. Delbue Bernardi, P. Baston Frenhani & V. A. Leandro Mehri

  2. Av. John B Dunlop, s/n — Jardim Ipaussurama, CEP: 13060-904, Campinas, SP, Brazil

    Kátia Cristina Portero-McLellan

Authors
  1. Kátia Cristina Portero-McLellan
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  2. C. Staudt
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  3. F. R. F. Silva
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  4. J. L. Delbue Bernardi
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  5. P. Baston Frenhani
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  6. V. A. Leandro Mehri
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Correspondence to Kátia Cristina Portero-McLellan.

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Portero-McLellan, K.C., Staudt, C., Silva, F.R.F. et al. The use of calf circumference measurement as an anthropometric tool to monitor nutritional status in elderly inpatients. J Nutr Health Aging 14, 266–270 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-010-0059-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-010-0059-0

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