Dados do Trabalho

Título

Fat mass characterization in post-stroke individuals

Resumo

Eighty percent of the risk factors for the development of stroke are modifiable, with obesity being among the top five - In the northern plateau of Santa Catarina, it one is among the three most prevalent. With this in mind, present study aimed to characterize and correlate in a pioneering way the body mass index(BMI) and percentage of fat mass in affected individuals and bedridden by stroke, during immediate hospitalization. For that, data such as: sex; BMI; age; physical activity level; leg length(right, cm); and fat mass(%). For weight, self-reported values by the patient and/or caregiver were assumed, justified because 100% of the population was bedridden or unresponsive – for the same reason, height was predicted according to Chumlea et al.(1988), using knee height as an anthropometric measure. BMI was calculated and classified according to WHO recommended criteria. Fat mass was estimated using the tetrapolar electrical bioimpedance method(Maltron, model BF906)– considering a desirable level for men when ≤15%, borderline from 15.1-24.9% and elevated ≥25%; and for women, desirable ≤23%, borderline 23.1-31.9% and high ≥32%. The sample refers to the three-month period of collection in the Unit-stroke in the northern plateau of SC; with a mean age of 70±11.1 years, and 57.1% of the individuals were female. The mean BMI found was 23.36±5.36 (normal) of the according to the considered criteria. However, the population presented an average of 35.18±7.65% of fat mass, which is considered high for both sexes. When the indices were statistically analyzed in relation to the distribution of means by sex, there were no significant differences between them or in relation to the mean, however, higher coefficients of variation were found for females. Interestingly, 100% of population self-reported being sedentary. These data demonstrate the discrepancy between the qualification that the BMI and bioimpedance measures generate, pointing out here that in immediate post-stroke population with a normal mean BMI, where obesity would not be characterized as a prevalent risk factor, there were quantitative findings of the percentage of fat mass beyond the limits considered high, regardless of sex. Therefore, it is proposed that other studies, with a larger sampled population, be carried out to highlight the importance of the anthropometric characterization of fat mass as a tool for analyzing a risk factor for stroke, as well as its reliable characterization and tracking.

Palavras Chave

Keywords: Fat mass. Anthropometry. stroke. Body mass index. Risk factor.