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Educate your patients on the importance of 3-A-Day of Dairy: Here's
a great
tool (PDF: 618k) to show families how to get their 3-A-Day of Dairy
every day for stronger bones.
Developed in conjunction with The American Academy of Family
Physicians, The American Academy of Pediatrics, The American Dietetic
Association, and The National Medical Association.
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Dairy Council Digest Archives
Special Dietary Needs of Mature Americans
Mature Adults
Mature adults represent a rapidly expanding segment of the U.S. population (1,2). In 1990, 3.1 million or 1 in every 25 Americans was 65 years and older. In 1994, this number reached 33.2 million or 1 in 8 Americans (1). Statisticians estimate that by the year 2050, 80 million Americans—as many as 1 in 5—will be 65 years of age and older (1). Adults 85 years and older comprise the fastest growing segment of mature adults (1).
Although mature adults constitute about 13 percent of the nation's population, they account for at least 30 percent of all health care expenditures (2,3). As more people live to older ages, they face more chronic, limiting illnesses or conditions (1,4,5).
"During this century, the number of adults aged 65 years and older has grown by a factor of 11. At the same time, the number of persons in the U.S. under age 65 has tripled".
Nutritional status is an important factor influencing the degree to which mature adults live a healthy, independent lifestyle (4–8). Research links adequate nutritional status throughout life with reduced risk of age-related chronic diseases and other disabilities of aging, including impaired immune function (9,10) and cognitive performance (11–13).
Age-related physiological changes influence nutrient requirements. Only recently has there been sufficient data to establish nutrient recommendations based on studies in mature adults (as opposed to extrapolations of recommendations for young adults) (14–16). New nutrient recommendations for older adults also acknowledge the physiological heterogeneity of this population and consider the amount of a nutrient to prevent chronic diseases, not just prevent nutrient deficiency states (14,15).This Digest reviews factors influencing the nutritional status and unique dietary needs of mature adults. In addition, the new Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) for calcium and related nutrients, and B vitamins for older adults are presented (14,15). An understanding of human aging, knowledge of nutrient requirements of mature adults, and information on their nutritional status and lifestyles are particularly important for health professionals to learn considering the dramatic growth in this segment of the U.S. population. Nutritional well-being is essential to achieve successful aging and ensure mature adults' quality of life (7,8).
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