Cambios en la dieta del adulto mayor durante el confinamiento por COVID-19, 2020 estudio cualitativo

Abstract

As people age, several changes occur in the body. These changes increase the risk and vulnerability of contracting diseases such as the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19). In addition to confinement, which in fact, limited the ability to carry out different activities, it could also make it difficult to access a healthy diet. The objective of this research was to analyze the changes in the diet of the elderly during confinement due to COVID-19 in Ecuador, 2020. The methodology used for the study had a cross-sectional, qualitative observational design. It was developed during confinement. It had as the study population senior citizens residing in Ecuador from 65 years of age and older. They were interviewed and recorded virtually with prior informed consent, using platforms such as Microsoft Teams and WhatsApp for subsequent transcription. Later, after reading their responses, an inferential analysis was performed. The information was coded and categorized, and four categories were obtained: diet in the elderly, life habits, physical activity and perception of healthy diet. The participants informed that they have three main meals and one or two snacks between meals. They restricted food for physiological reasons; they increased the consumption of dry grains and decreased that of fats and processed products. In conclusion, knowing the perception that the elderly have about their diet in times of pandemic can directly help healthy lifestyle habits to maintain an adequate nutritional status and better face aging and confinement due to COVID-19.