Chapter 12
Nutrition Through the Lifespan:
Later Adulthood
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Nutrition & Longevity
• Past food choices
influence
longevity
• U.S. population
is graying
• People over 85
are the fastestgrowing age
group
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Aging of U.S. Population
• Life expectancy
 1900 = 47 years
 2006 = 77 years
• Due to advances
in medical science
& improved
nutrition
• Upper limit of
longevity is 130
years
• Study of aging is
the youngest
scientific
discipline
• Aging
 20-30% genetic
 70-80% lifestyle
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Slowing the Aging Process
• Healthy habits
 Adequate sleep
 Well-balanced
meals
 Healthy weight
 Physical activity
 Not smoking
 Moderate alcohol
• Restriction of
kcalories
 80% of usual intake
may decrease body
weight, body fat, &
blood pressure, &
increase HDL
cholesterol
 Eat fruits, vegetables,
whole grains, &
legumes
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Physical Activity
• A powerful predictor
of mobility in later
years
• Promotes healthy
weight, flexibility,
endurance, & balance
• Tones, firms, &
strengthens muscles
• Should be
undertaken daily
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Adequate Nutrition &
Disease Prevention
• Helps prevent obesity,
diabetes, &
cardiovascular disease
• Prevents deficiency
diseases
• Variety may protect
against some cancers
• Moderate sugar
prevents dental caries
• Fiber helps prevent
constipation &
diverticulosis
• Moderate sodium may
prevent hypertension
• Adequate calcium
protects against
osteoporosis
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Nutrition-Related Concerns
• Cataracts
 Age-related
thickening of the lens
of the eye
 Can lead to blindness
 Risk factors:
oxidative stress &
obesity
• Macular
Degeneration
 Leading cause of
blindness in
persons over 65
 Risk factor:
oxidative stress
from sunlight
 Omega-3 fatty
acids may be
protective
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Arthritis
• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
 Most common
 Painful swelling of
joints
 Interventions
 Immune system
attacks bone
coverings
 Interventions
• Weight loss
• Aerobic activity
• Weight training
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•
•
•
•
Vegetables
Olive oil
Omega-3 fatty acids
Low saturated fat
The Aging Brain
• Blood supply decreases
• Number of neurons
diminishes
Cerebral cortex: affects
hearing & speech
Hindbrain: affects balance
& posture
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Aging Brain
• Nutrient
deficiencies
Need vitamins &
minerals for
neurotransmitter
functioning
Some losses
may be diet
related
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Alzheimer’s Disease
• Most prevalent form
of senile dementia
• Gradually lose
 Memory & reasoning
 Ability to
communicate
 Physical capabilities
 Life itself
• Risk factors
 Free radicals
 Elevated blood
homocysteine
 Low blood folate, B6
& B12
• No cure
• Need to maintain
appropriate weight
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© 2007 Thomson - Wadsworth
Energy & Nutrient Need
• DRI categories
51-70 years old
71 and older
• Standards are
difficult to set for
older adults
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Energy & Nutrient Needs
• Energy needs decline with aging
5% per decade
Lean body mass diminishes
BMR slows
Select nutrient-dense foods
• Sarcopenia
Loss of muscle mass
© 2007 Thomson - Wadsworth
© 2007 Thomson - Wadsworth
Nutrients
• Protein
• Carbohydrate
 Needs are about
the same as
younger adults
 Need low-kcalorie,
high-quality
• Fat
 Moderate amounts
 Need abundant
amounts to spare
protein
 Whole grains
• Fiber
 Needed to prevent
constipation
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Water
• Total body water
decreases with age
• Dehydration is a risk
• Do not seem to feel
thirsty or notice
mouth dryness
• Amount needed
 Women 9 cups/day
 Men 13 cups/day
• Dehydration can
promote
 Urinary tract
infections
 Pneumonia
 Pressure ulcers
 Confusion
 Disorientation
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Vitamins
• Vitamin D deficiency • Vitamin B12
deficiency
 Drink little milk
 Limited exposure to
sunlight
 Capacity of skin &
kidneys to produce
active vitamin D is
decreased
 Stomach acid
decreases
 Atrophic gastritis
• Malabsorption of B12
• Folate
 Medical conditions
& medications can
compromise status
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Minerals
• Iron
 Anemia less
common than in
younger adults
 Deficiency
• Chronic blood loss
• Poor absorption
• Zinc
 Commonly low
 Can depress
appetite
• Calcium
 Needed
throughout life to
prevent
osteoporosis
 Calcium AI for late
adulthood = 1200
mg/day
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Other Concerns
• Supplements
• Effects of Drugs
 Food is the best
source of
nutrients
 A balanced lowdose vitamin &
mineral
supplement may
be advised
 As people age,the
number of drugs
seems to increase
 Medications
interact with
nutrients
 Most common
drug is alcohol
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Food Choices & Eating Habits
• Most older people
are
 Independent
 Socially
sophisticated
 Mentally lucid
 Fully participating
members of
society
• Spend more
money per person
on foods to eat at
home
• Need easy-toopen, singleserving packages
with easy-to-read
labels
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Eating Habits
• Individual
preferences are
important for
older adults
• Meal Setting
Need companions
Men living alone
are at risk for
malnutrition
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Other
• Depression
• Risk factors for malnutrition
 More common with
advancing age
 Affects food intake &
appetite
 Many losses
 Feel powerless









Disease
Eating poorly
Tooth loss
Economic hardship
Reduced social contact
Multiple medications
Involuntary weight loss
Need assistance with self-care
Elderly older than 80
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Nutrition for Older Adults
• Food assistance
programs
 Older Americans
Act (OAA)
Nutrition Program
 Food Stamps
 Meals on Wheels
 Senior Farmers
Market Nutrition
Program
• Meals for singles
 May not have
storage for a lot of
food
 Food may go bad
before eaten
 May have limited
income
 Need to be
creative & choose
wisely
© 2007 Thomson - Wadsworth