The Elderly and Malnutrition Essay -- Health Nutrition Pyramid Diet

The aged(a) and Malnourishment At any age, nutrition is vital to maintaining health and enhancing quality of life. However, achieving nice nutrition can be especially difficult for the time-worn, the fastest evolution portion of Americas population. Many factors, including physiological changes, changes in nutritional ask, illness and somatogenetic limitations, food-medication interactions, depression and loneliness, and food insecurity are common causes of malnutrition in the elderly. This makeup will explore factors affecting elderly nutrition, provide suggestions for obtaining and maintaining good nutrition after age 65, and describe the services available to help the elderly meet their nutritional needs. A number of factors influence the nutritional stead of the elderly. First, several physiological changes impact elderly nutritional requirements. Changes in tasting and smell may subside an individuals appetite or desire for food. Gastro-intestinal s ocial movement decreases with age and may lead to constipation, decreased nutrient absorption, and a decrease in fat and protein absorption. Metabolism also slows with age this results in a decrease of lean clay mass and an increase in body fat (8). Lastly, drum mass decreases, leaving the elderly vulnerable to bone fractures from falls and osteoporosis. Ultimately, these physiological changes result in different nutritional needs for the elderly. The Food and Nutrition Board of the National Academy of Sciences issues the Recommended Daily Allowances for hale people over the age of 51. However, these RDAs are limited in that they drop been derived from studies of younger, healthy populations and do not account ... .... 5) Good Nutrition is Ageless. fruitcake Nutrition Center. 22 Jan. 2002 <http//www.enc-online.org/elderly.htm>. 6) Good Nutrition for Seniors Caregiver Fact Sheet. 9 Aug. 2001. National Network for Health. 22 Jan. 2002 <http//www.nnh.org/pr oducts/gnfs.htm>. 7) Home page. Meals on Wheels Association of America. 22 Jan. 2000. <http//www.projectmeal.org/mowaa.html>. 8) Nutrition Index. Gerontology and Geriatric Dentistry n.d. n. pag. Columbia University Dental educational activity Software. N.d. 9) A Profile on Older Americans 2001. 10 Jan. 2002. Administration on Aging. 22 Jan. 2002 <http//www.aoa.gov/default.htm>. 10) The Warning Signs. New York State Office for the Aging. 22 Jan. 2002 <http//agingwell.state.ny.us/eatwell/warning.htm>. 11) Wieand, Jane. knell Interview. 22 Jan. 2002.