Body composition and perceived health status in Chilean women with and without risk of dysphagia

INTRODUCTION: Dysphagia is common in older women and can affect their nutritional status and quality of life. In Chile, progressive population aging and the high prevalence of overnutrition exacerbate the problem. OBJECTIVE: To analyze body composition and perceived health status in older Chilean women from the south-central region with and without risk of dysphagia. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 283 women aged 60 years and older (72.96 ± 6.66), selected through purposive sampling. A health satisfaction questionnaire, the EAT-10 (a score of 7/40 was considered indicative of risk of dysphagia), and the GOHAI were administered, along with body composition analysis by bioimpedance; groups with and without risk of dysphagia were compared. RESULTS: Risk of dysphagia was present in 42.4%. Both groups had IMC values in the class I obesity range and a high body fat percentage. Women at risk of dysphagia reported poorer perceived health (p=0.0001) and lower scores in physical function (p=0.0014) and oral psychosocial function (p=0.0003). CONCLUSIONS: Risk of dysphagia in older women is associated with poorer self-rated health, which is not associated with their body composition, and there is a need for multidisciplinary interventions aimed at preserving function, optimizing intake, and improving quality of life.