The elderly are the fastest growing proportion in most industrialised countries. This group is also the most at risk to many health risks and this is due to poor diet that lacks in nutrients. A large proportion of the elderly do not receive the recommended amounts and types of food that is essential for their nutritional needs. There are many reasons why elderly persons do not consume or have a healthy, well-balanced nutritious diet. These include physiological, economic and psychological changes that can and do contribute to poor nutrition amongst the elderly.

A person experiences many physiological and metabolic changes after the age of fifty years, all of which significantly influence the needs of an individual. A person’s metabolic rate can decline as much as thirty percent over a lifetime.  Older people can have difficulties obtaining sufficient calories, which may result in depression, a weakened immune system or chronic fatigue. Certain changes in one’s metabolism can become worse due to the common complications from the oral and dental problems, digestive difficulties and eating and medication and nutrient problems.

The risk of malnourishment in the elderly is increased by the low fat, low cholesterol craze that has captured the nation. Many elderly people fear fat and cholesterol, concerned about their health. Whilst many elderly people impose limits on their fat and cholesterol consumption in order to reduce the risk of chronic diseases, others argue that the appropriateness of these restrictions is an area for debate. Good nutrition helps vitality and independence, poor nutrition has proved to lengthen the recovery time following an illness. It also leads to a poorer quality of life.

Due to the lower fat message, many elderly people replace fat calories with simple carbohydrate calories.  There have been some concerns that low fat diets may exacerbate insulin resistance leading to hyperinsulinemia. Those foods that are dense in calories are easily replaced by higher fat foods that are dense in nutrients. Those who have an intake of high carbohydrate foods can become overweight. The intake of foods that are dense in calories, poor in nutrients can lead to a lack of important nutrients thought to prevent many chronic diseases.

It is very easy for elderly people to reduce their consumption of many nutrients found in the food groups and are very important. This is sometimes due to them being advised to restrict or eliminate various food types. Restructuring the dietary choices in elderly people can result in some food groups being completely eliminated, making them lack in nutritional benefit and posing serious health risks.

It is therefore important that the impact of dietary modifications for the intake of fat be evaluated for elderly people. Experts are also recommended that when diets of older adults are evaluated, there is not an over restriction on certain food groups. More emphasis should be on a person’s dietary needs to address problems such as diabetes, renal problems and food allergies. All nutritional advice that is given to older adults should bear in mind the changing psychological, physiological, social and economical capabilities of the individual and making sure that their overall nutritional needs are met with the freedom to make sure that meals and eating remains an important aspect to an individual’s quality of life during their later years.

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