Comprehension the body by perspective from elderly women

Abstract

According to the WHO, aging is considered healthy when an individual's functional capacity and well-being are preserved. With the increase in the elderly population, there is a growing need for health policies aimed at this public. In relation to the elderly female body, there are historical and cultural disadvantages. The body image, expectations, and reflections that older women have of themselves dictate their perception of body and health. Therefore, it is important to highlight their reflections in light of reality. Understanding the perspectives of elderly women about their bodies and their awareness of ancestry regarding how this group perceives itself is crucial. This research is qualitative, cross-sectional, observational, and analytical, with a purposeful sample, comprised of elderly participants from the Open University for Seniors at the State University of Piauí, Brazil. Data collection was conducted using a semi-structured guide with open-ended questions, and the results were analyzed using Laurence Bardin’s (2004) Content Analysis Technique. From the interviews, it was possible to identify the categories: “Movement, potentialities, and barriers”; “Maternal figure of reference”; “Self-learning: experience as a source of knowledge about the body”; and “Self-image, body complexes, and perspectives on body weight”.