Nutritional status and food profile: people with cancer and ostomy in northern Brazil

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the nutritional status and dietary profile of cancer patients undergoing intestinal stomas. Method: Cross-sectional, descriptive and quantitative research, carried out with 55 patients treated at a Reference Unit in Belém-PA. Sociodemographic, clinical and dietary information were collected through a food frequency questionnaire. The nutritional assessment included anthropometric measurements (weight, height, arm circumference and triceps skin fold). Results: The mean age of the participants was 54.6 years, with 58.2% female and over 60 years of age (36.4%), 45.5% were married and 40% had completed high school. It was observed that 74.5% did not consume alcoholic beverages, 89.1% did not smoke and 74.5% did not practice physical activity. They had a permanent colostomy (50.9%). Regarding nutritional status, 32.7% were obese according to body mass index, but other anthropometric measurements showed eutrophic classification. Likewise, 72.7% reported food taboos, especially pork and fish with skin. Conclusion: The predominant nutritional status in the sample was eutrophic followed by obesity, in addition to presenting good food choices such as consumption of fruits, vegetables and low consumption of processed foods, there was the presence of food restrictions based on taboos.