Parámetros dietéticos y alimentación habitual de adultos mayores. Cuenca 2018 – 2019.

Objective: to describe the dietary parameters and eating habits of the elderly who were treated in health centers of the first level, in the city of Cuenca-Ecuador. Population and methods: the descriptive study involved 102 elderly adults belonging to the senior clubs of the first level health centers. The students of the Community Cycle of the medical career applied a validated form, with questions of sociodemographic conditions, dietary parameters and eating habits, with prior training and signing of the informed consent. Results: the average age was 76 ± 7.20 years, between 65 and 95 years, the majority was, married and retired women with primary education, they were unemployed and with low socioeconomic status. Almost everyone eats breakfast, lunch and dinner, with a normal consistency. One in four AM ingests vitamin, mineral and herbal supplements. They choose foods by taste and lower cost. Eight in ten people cannot prepare their food. Six in ten people feed poorly, it does not matter if they like or dislike what they eat. Conclusions: the parameters and eating habits of the AM are related to aging and several determining factors. The knowledge will serve to propose healthy eating and prevent related diseases.