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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
Factors influencing Nutritional Status and/or Nutrient Needs
Numerous surveys of independently living and institutionalized mature adults provide insights into their nutritional status (4,5,17–21). However, only recently have major national nutrition surveys studied adults over 75 years of age (19–21). Although life-threatening nutritional deficiencies are rare in mature adults, subclinical intakes of energy, calcium, vitamin D, vitamin B6, folate, and zinc have been documented, especially in certain subgroups such as low-income or frail elderly. Low food (energy) intake is a prevalent problem among mature adults (2,3,22). Low energy intake impairs an individual's ability to meet requirements for essential nutrients. Consequently, health professionals should encourage older adults to consume nutrient-dense foods.
Compared to young adults, older adults are at increased risk of anorexia of aging or decreased food intake (3,23). Age-related changes in hunger are associated with delayed gastric emptying and altered hormonal and neurotransmitter regulation of food intake (23,24). Anorexia of aging increases mature adults' risk of protein-energy malnutrition. Protein-energy malnutrition, in turn, can contribute to immune deficiencies, anemia, falls, cognitive deficits, osteopenia, altered drug metabolism, sarcopenia (excess loss of muscle mass), and prolonged hospital stays (23). Researchers also link weight loss among mature adults with increased mortality (25).
A variety of factors—social, psychological, and medical—contribute to weight loss and/or nutritional deficiencies in some older adults (2,3,8,23). Poverty is a major social cause of food insecurity and weight loss. Between 8 and 16 percent of older adults experience food insecurity within a six month period (6). Social isolation, lack of basic nutrition knowledge, and, for institutionalized older adults, the monotony of food served are other social contributors to weight loss (23). Depression is a major psychologic contributor to weight loss in older adults. Bereavement, dementia, alcoholism, anorexia nervosa, and cholesterol phobia are additional psychological contributors to weight loss in mature adults (23).
"Unrecognized or untreated malnutrition can reduce older adults' quality of life and increase morbidity and the need for health care, social services, and institutionalization".
Chronic diseases, multiple and/or chronic medication use, oral and swallowing problems, malabsorption, and surgical interventions are some of the medical causes of weight loss and/or suboptimal nutritional status in mature adults (2,23). Compared to younger adults, twice as many adults 65 years of age and over (80%) have one or more chronic diseases (2). Specific drugs cause weight loss by decreasing appetite, causing malabsorption, and increasing metabolism (23). Drug-nutrient interactions can also contribute to nutritional deficiencies in adults. Age-related physiological changes such as declining senses of taste and smell may adversely affect food intake and selection (26).Age-related changes in body composition and physiological function can influence the nutrient requirements of mature adults (3). For example, decreased muscle mass can reduce energy needs; decreased bone density can increase the requirements for calcium and vitamin D; decreased cutaneous synthesis of vitamin D can increase the body's need for this vitamin; and the decline in intestinal absorption of calcium can increase the need for this mineral. Some age-related physiological changes can be minimized by lifestyle changes. For example, regular moderate physical activity, including aerobic exercise and strength training, can reduce age-related body composition changes by preserving lean body tissue and utilizing body fat (27). As a result, energy requirements and thus food intake are increased, which makes it easier for older adults to meet their needs for other essential nutrients (3).
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