Usual dietary intake and cardiovascular risk factors in older Brazilian women.

Aim: To evaluate habitual macronutrient intake and its association with common cardiovascular risk factors in Brazilian elderly women.
Methods: Analytical cross-sectional study with 293 subjects. Carbohydrate, protein and lipid intakes were determined based on a non-consecutive three-day dietary record. The following conditions were evaluated: dyslipidemia, systemic arterial hypertension, and type 2 diabetes.
Results: Anthropometric, clinical and biochemical data revealed an elevated prevalence of classic cardiovascular risk factors in the sample. Higher energy intake from omega-3 fatty acid was associated with elevated levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p<0.05), whereas a diet pattern with a relatively lower energy content from monounsaturated fatty acids was associated with the presence of type 2 diabetes (p<0.05).
Conclusions: Results corroborate experimental reports and contribute by suggesting that the usual diet, independently of supplementation, may be valuable in promoting health and preventing chronic diseases of aging.