Nutritional Status, body image and eating and nutritional disorders: a literature review

Abstract

Introduction: Aging is characterized by physical, physiological, psychological and psychological changes and maintenance or state of the elderly. Methods are used by the elderly as an alternative to reversing changes, such as changes in eating habits, physical exercises and medication use, which can lead to the development of eating disorders. Objective: To analyze scientific data on nutritional status, perception of body image and the risk of developing eating disorders in the search for the elderly. Method: Review of literature description, carried out from March to June 2022, whose search was carried out in the bases PubMed, Scielo and Lilacs data, using the descriptors “Elderly” (Elderly; Anciano), “Body Image” (Body Image; Corporal Image), “Body Image Disorders” (Body Image Disorders; Trastornos de la imagen corporal) and “Food Disorders” (Food Disorders; Food Disorders). Original articles in Portuguese, English and Spanish were included, which investigate the state, the perception of body image and eating disorders in the elderly. Results: 685 articles were found, and only 7 studies were included, since their characteristics meet the purpose of the research. The articles found identified that women or obesity classified as dissatisfied tend to present most of them with their body image, being presented as the most dissatisfied gender with lower quality of life. Food, physical, psychological and sexual aspects were also influenced in this process of non-acceptance of body image. One of the strategies used is food restriction or the use of medications, such as laxatives and diuretics, for weight control, which are characteristics of eating disorders. Conclusion: It was evidenced that most of the differences were overweight, being one of the factors for body image dissatisfaction. In the review, it was found that women are more visible to body development and are at greater risk for dissatisfaction