Importance of Proper Nutrition in Elderly Population

N A M E O F T H E S T U D E N T :
N A M E O F T H E U N I V E R S I T Y:
IMPORTANCE OF PROPER
NUTRITION IN ELDERLY
POPULATION

Introduction
 Nutritional requirements of
elderly people change
because of ageing related
changes
 The ageing related changes
has impact on nutritional
needs of elderly
 Older people are more
vulnerable to malnutrition
and this consequently
increases risk of
cardiovascular disease,
diabetes and cancer
(Who.int., 2018).

Knowing the reasons for changes in dietary needs with aging:
 At old age, people become less
active and body metabolism
decreases. Hence, their energy
requirement changes.
 Lower intake of health food in
elderly people is seen due to
loss of appetite
 Physiological changes in
digestive system due to ageing
decreases energy intake and
lead to weight loss
 Older people tend to take less
food because of common
complaints like early satiation
and increased fullness
(Amarya, Singh & Sabharwal,
2015).

Nutritional changes encountered in elderly
people due to ageing process:
 Ageing related changes and
diseases like cardiovascular
disease, osteoarthritis, and
pulmonary disease lead to muscle
loss and change in energy
requirements.
 Age related renal impairment
decreases function of anti-diuretic
hormones and increases risk of
rehydration. This results in poor
fluid intake.
 Elderly people above 65 years
have compromised immune
system thus increasing the risk of
infection in elderly people. This
modified food intake patterns due
to changes in metabolic rate
(Amarya, Singh & Sabharwal,
2015).