Revista de Educação à Distância · Mar 29, 2026
Nutritional assessment project in adults and older adults: promoting awareness of health risks in partnership with SESC
By da SJJFD
ABSTRACT: This work reports a community outreach experience carried out by students in the Nutrition program in partnership with SESC, in Fortaleza-CE. The main objective was to promote awareness of health risks in older adults through anthropometric assessments and nutritional guidance. The methodology, grounded in project-based learning, consisted of a practical activity in which 59 older adults were served (46 women and 13 men, with a mean age of 70.44 years). During the activity, measurements of weight, height, circumferences (arm, waist, and hip), and triceps skinfold were collected, following rigorous technical protocols. The results indicated that, although participants reported active habits, women had higher body mass index (IMC) and adiposity percentages than men, with abdominal circumferences suggesting a greater risk of developing chronic noncommunicable diseases (DCNTs). The theoretical framework underpinning the discussion addressed the impact of ultra-processed food consumption and the nutrition transition in the Brazilian population. It is concluded that the project was essential for integrating academic knowledge with social needs, providing students with real clinical experience and reinforcing the importance of early nutritional diagnosis and food education as fundamental strategies for promoting health and healthy aging in the community. Keywords: Nutrition; Anthropometric Assessment; Older Adult; Chronic Diseases; Health Promotion. ABSTRACT: This study reports an extensionist experience carried out by Nutrition students in partnership with SESC in Fortaleza-CE. The central objective was to promote awareness of health risks in the elderly through anthropometric assessments and nutritional guidance. The methodology, based on project-based learning, consisted of a practical action where 59 elderly individuals were attended (46 women and 13 men, with an average age of 70.44 years). During the action, measurements of weight, height, circumferences (arm, waist, and hip), and triceps skinfold were collected, following strict technical protocols. The results indicated that, although participants reported active habits, women presented higher Body Mass Index (BMI) and adiposity percentages than men, with abdominal circumferences suggesting a higher risk for developing Non-Communicable Chronic Diseases (NCDs). The theoretical framework that supported the discussion addressed the impact of ultra-processed food consumption and the nutritional transition in the Brazilian population. It is concluded that the project was essential to integrate academic knowledge with social demands, providing students with real clinical experience and reinforcing the importance of early nutritional diagnosis and food education as fundamental strategies for health promotion and healthy aging in the community. Keywords: Nutrition; Anthropometric Assessment; Elderly; Chronic Diseases; Health Promotion. ABSTRACT: This work reports a community outreach experience carried out by students in the Nutrition program in collaboration with SESC, in Fortaleza-CE. The main objective was to promote awareness of health risks in older adults through anthropometric assessments and nutritional guidance. The methodology, grounded in project-based learning, consisted of a practical activity in which 59 older adults were served (46 women and 13 men, with a mean age of 70.44 years). During the activity, measurements of weight, height, circumferences (arm, waist, and hip), and triceps skinfold were collected, following rigorous technical protocols. The results indicated that, although participants reported active habits, women had a higher body mass index (IMC) and adiposity percentage than men, with abdominal circumferences suggesting a greater risk of developing chronic noncommunicable diseases (ECNT). The theoretical framework underpinning the discussion addressed the impact of ultra-processed food consumption and the nutrition transition in the Brazilian population. It is concluded that the project was essential for integrating academic knowledge with social needs, providing students with real clinical experience and reinforcing the importance of early nutritional diagnosis and food education as fundamental strategies for promoting health and healthy aging in the community. Keywords: Nutrition; Anthropometric Assessment; Older Adult; Chronic Diseases; Health Promotion. ABSTRACT: This work reports a community outreach experience carried out by students in the Nutrition program in partnership with SESC, in Fortaleza-CE. The main objective was to promote awareness of health risks among older adults through anthropometric assessments and nutritional counseling. The methodology, based on project-based learning, consisted of a practical activity during which 59 older adults were served (46 women and 13 men, with a mean age of 70.44 years). During this activity, measurements of weight, height, circumferences (arm, waist, and hips), and triceps skinfold were collected, following rigorous technical protocols. The results indicated that, although participants reported having active habits, women had a higher body mass index (IMC) and adiposity percentage than men, with abdominal circumferences suggesting a higher risk of developing chronic noncommunicable diseases (MCNT). The theoretical framework underpinning the discussion addressed the impact of ultra-processed food consumption and the nutrition transition in the Brazilian population. In conclusion, the project was essential for integrating academic knowledge with social needs, providing students with real clinical experience and reinforcing the importance of early nutritional diagnosis and food education as fundamental strategies for promoting health and healthy aging in the community. Keywords: Nutrition; Anthropometric Assessment; Older Adult; Chronic Diseases; Health Promotion.