The Elderly with COVID-19 and their Diet in Ecuador

Abstract

Introduction: The greater susceptibility of older adults to COVID-19 is that they are more prone to suffer from underlying diseases that impede the body's ability to fight and recover, as well as their immune response, decreases over the years. Methodology: It is an observational, descriptive, and cross-sectional study. It investigates the general characteristics and contagion of 1018 older adults in Ecuador and their diet in a subsample of 310, information obtained by university students in the different cities of the country, and the trend of cases of the National Service for Risk and Emergency Management. Results: Most are from the highlands, 65 years and older, and are from both urban and rural areas. A relative has infected 26%, and 48% do not know who infected them, 20% have stayed at home with private doctor care and have used analgesics, antipyretics, anti-inflammatories, and corticosteroids, among others, of which 52% have died. In the evolution of contagion cases, it is observed that while the national trend rises upward, in older adults, there is a decrease over time. The diet reflects a deficit of 70 to 80% of calories and macronutrients, the most affected being males. With this pandemic, it is manifested to have lost the feeling of tranquility, making people feel insecure about what will happen in the future. Conclusion: Although older adults have significant physiological risks that enhance contagion, all population groups are affected by COVID-19.