Desenvolvimento e utilização de um aplicativo móvel para avaliação do consumo alimentar de idosos com diabetes mellitus tipo 2 pacientes da saúde pública na região norte do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil

Abstract

Population aging, the prevalence of obesity, sedentary lifestyle, and urbanization processes have been affecting the increase in incidence and prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM). Healthy dietary habits reduce the risk of complications of this disease. Using methods for assessing dietary intake helps to understand these habits, and an electronic application may optimize this practice. In this regard, the general objective of this master’s thesis was to develop and use a mobile phone application in the data collection of a crosssectional study to assess markers of dietary intake and health habits of 154 elderly patients with DM from the public health system in the northern region of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The specific objectives were: I) to perform a systematic review in order to identify the assessment methods of food intake of elderly patients with DM; II) to assist in the development of a mobile phone application to evaluate the food consumption of elderly patients from public health centers; III) to assess the dietary intake of elderly patients with type 2 DM from public health centers; IV) to analyze the dietary intake adjusted by sociodemographic, nutritional, biochemical, and lifestyle variables; V) to assess the perception, acceptance, and usability of the mobile phone application with patients and health professionals. The dietary intake was assessed with the Food Consumption Markers Form proposed by SISVAN. The nutritional status was assessed with anthropometric measurements, and the glycemia with fasting glucose and glycated hemoglobin. Quantitative data were analyzed using statistical software, and qualitative data were categorized. The mobile phone application was assessed in interviews conducted with the 154 elderly patients and with 20 health professionals. The foods that presented the healthiest intake were raw salads, fresh fruits, milk or yogurt, fried foods, savory biscuits, cookies or sweets, and sugary drinks. The f oods with less healthy intake were pulses and cooked vegetables, and hamburgers and processed meat products. In the anthropometric assessment, most respondents were overweight and presented nutritional disorders and clinical alterations. There were statistically significant differences among patients of different genders, place of residence, family history of DM, physical exercise habit, history of smoking, and presence of coronary diseases. The respondents had good acceptance of the mobile phone application, and they considered it a useful tool for its effectiveness in collecting and analyzing data. The results of the general objective and specific objectives II, III and IV, and V are presented in Scientific Production I. The systematic review, result of the specific objective I, is presented in Scientific Production II. The application was developed in partnership with the Undergraduate Program in Computer Science of the University of Passo Fundo, and registered with the National Institute of Intellectual Property (INPI) under protocol BR512019001054-0.