Podcast Beta
Questions and Answers
What is a predisposing factor for anorexia in the elderly?
What happens to basal metabolic rate with aging?
What percentage of energy should come from protein for the elderly?
Why do old people consume less protein?
Signup and view all the answers
What can enhance insulin sensitivity in the elderly?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a potential consequence of inadequate protein intake in the elderly?
Signup and view all the answers
What is one of the physical discomforts experienced by the elderly that affects their nutrition?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following changes associated with aging can affect nutritional status?
Signup and view all the answers
What is one of the socio-psychological changes that can affect nutrition in the elderly?
Signup and view all the answers
What is one of the age-related changes that can affect oral health?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a physiological change that can influence the nutritional status of the elderly?
Signup and view all the answers
What is one of the nutrition-related problems among the elderly?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the recommended daily intake of calcium to compensate for age-related bone loss?
Signup and view all the answers
What can reduce iron absorption in older adults?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the recommended daily intake of vitamin C to be protective against cataract?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a common feature associated with zinc deficiency in older adults?
Signup and view all the answers
Why do elderly individuals need more calcium supplements?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a benefit of taking dietary supplements with calcium and vitamin D?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Nutrition for the Elderly
- Emphasis should be placed on reducing the intake of saturated fat and choosing monounsaturated or polyunsaturated fat sources.
- Sufficient intake of omega-3 fatty acids helps in visual acuity, hair loss, tissue inflammation, and improper digestion.
Minerals
- Calcium: 800 mg/day is required to compensate for age-related bone loss, improve calcium balance, and decrease the prevalence of fractures.
- Calcium absorption efficiency decreases with age, and vitamin D levels also decrease, making supplements necessary.
- Iron: 30 mg/day is required, as deficiency is common in the elderly due to inadequate iron intake, blood loss, or reduced non-hem iron absorption.
- Vitamin C deficiency can also reduce iron absorption.
- Zinc: delayed wound healing, decreased taste sensitivity, and anorexia are associated with zinc deficiency, although healthy elderly individuals do not typically show zinc deficiency.
Vitamins
- Vitamin D: elderly individuals are at risk of deficiency due to decreased exposure to sunlight or decreased renal mass.
- Vitamin D supplements with calcium improve bone density and prevent fractures.
- People with Parkinson's disease have low vitamin D levels.
- Vitamin C: stress, smoking, and medication can increase vitamin C requirements.
- Antioxidant vitamins such as vitamin E, carotinoids, and vitamin C enhance health in elderly individuals.
- Vitamin C may be protective against cataract at an intake level of 150-250 mg/day.
Geriatrics and Gerontology
- Geriatrics: the branch of medicine dealing with health problems of the elderly, aiming to delay the onset of severely degenerating aspects of aging and treat diseases of the elderly.
- Gerontology: the broad area of science concerned with all psychological, social, economic, physiological, and medical problems of the elderly.
Aging and Nutrition
- Old age is defined as 60 years and above, and nutrition for old age is known as Geriatric Nutrition.
- Aging brings physiological, psychological, and immunological changes that influence nutritional status.
- Physiological changes associated with aging include:
- Loss of teeth
- Decreased neuromuscular coordination
- Impaired hearing and poor vision
- Diminished sense of taste and smell
- Anorexia
- Physical discomfort
- Change in body composition
- Change in gastrointestinal tract
- Change in cardiovascular system
- Change in respiratory function
- Change in renal function
- Change in skeletal tissue
- Socio-psychological changes associated with aging include:
- Food habits
- Economic aspects
- Loneliness
- Lack of nutritional knowledge
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Loss of self-esteem
- Loss of independence
Nutrition-Related Problems among the Elderly
- Obesity
- Undernutrition and malnutrition
- Osteoporosis
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Diabetes
- Cancer
- Malnutrition is one of the main health problems of the elderly, with predisposing factors including:
- Impaired physiological functioning with aging
- Loss of teeth
- Chronic disease
- Psychological disturbance
Nutrient Requirements for the Elderly
- Energy: energy requirement reduces with age, with basal metabolic rate decreasing (15-20%) due to reduced muscle mass and increased fatty tissue.
- Protein: decreased skeletal tissue mass, and decreased protein stores are inadequate to meet protein synthesis needs, with a recommended intake of 1.0 gm/kg.
- Carbohydrates: requirement reduces, with impaired glucose tolerance leading to hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, and type II diabetes mellitus.
- Lipids: high intake of dietary total fat may contribute to dementia and cardiovascular disease.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
This quiz covers the nutritional requirements for elderly individuals, including energy, protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. It also discusses predisposing factors that affect nutrition in old age.
