Life Cycle Nutrition: Adulthood and Later Years

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Chapter 17

• Life Cycle Nutrition Adulthood and Later
  Years

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Adulthood and Later Years

• In 1900 life expectancy 47 years
• today 79 and 72
• fastest growing age group
• people over 85 years

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The Aging US Population
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Population Growth
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I. Nutrition and Longevity

• A. Observation of Elderly People
• 1. Healthy habits
• a. Abstinence from alcohol (moderation)
• b. Regularity of meals
• c. Weight control
• d. Regular, adequate sleep
• e. Abstinence from smoking
• f. Regular physical activity

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Observation of Elderly People (cont)

• 2. Physical Activity
• a. Protective against early mortality
• 1. Slows cardiovascular aging
• 2. Reduces heart disease
• B. Manipulation of Diet
• 1. Energy restriction in rats
• a. Live longer with caloric restriction
• 1. Severe restriction
• a. malformed (physically mentally)
• b. Decreases incidence and growth of
  chemically induced cancer

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Manipulation of Diet (cont)

• 2. Energy restriction in humans
• a. Moderate restriction (80 of calories)
• 1. Weight loss
• 2. HDL increased
• 3. Blood pressure decreased

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II. The Aging Process

• A. Physiological Changes
• 1. Body composition
• a. Hormonal changes
• 1. Loss of bone, lean tissue
• 2. Gain fat 2. Immune system
• a. Compromised with age
• b. Compromised with poor nutrition
• c. Infectious diseases major cause of death
  in elderly

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Physiological Changes (cont)

• 3. GI tract
• a. Slowing of motility - constipation
• b. Atrophic gastritis - 33 over age 60
• 1. Stomach inflamation, decrease in
  hydrochloric acid, increase in
  bacteria
• 2. Decrease in absorption of B12,
  biotin, calcium and iron

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Physiological Changes (cont)

• 4. Tooth loss
• a. Difficulty/painful chewing
• 1. Ill-fitting dentures
• 2. Gum disease
• b. Changes in dietary choices
• 5. Other physical problems
• a. Poor eyesight
• 1. Transportation problems
• b. Limitation of mobility
• 1. Cooking and cleaning
• c. Diminished sense of taste and smell

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The Aging Process (cont)

• B. Other Changes
• 1. Psychological changes
• a. Depression (loss of loved one)
• 1. Affects desire to eat
• b. Support of family especially important
• c. Worry over forgetfulness
• 2. Economic changes
• a. 20 in poverty over 65 years of age
• 1. Difficulty purchasing foods

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The Aging Process (cont) Other Changes (cont)

• 3. Social changes
• a. Malnutrition associated with lack of
  education, living alone, change in lifestyle
• b. Men living alone eat less, women eat more

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Risk Factors for Malnutrition in the Elderly
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III. Nutrient Needs of Older Adults

• RDA for 50 and above ö inappropriate due to the
  accumulation of change, medications
• A. Water
• 1. Dehydration
• a. Not aware or dont pay attention to thirst
• b. Problems with control of bladder
• 2. Total body water decreases with age
• a. Mild stresses such as fever or hot weather
  can create problem

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Nutrient Needs of Older Adults (cont)

• B. Energy Needs and Activity
• 1. Energy needs decline with aging
• a. 5 decrease/decade
• b. Lean body mass declines (decrease in BMR)
• 2. Food choices
• a. Must select nutrient dense foods
• 3. Regular physical activity
• a. Strongest predictor of mobility in later
  years
• b. Maintains muscle mass and strength
• 1. Increase in appetite (caloric intake)

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Nutrient Needs of Older Adults (cont)Energy
Needs and Activity (cont)

• 4. Protein
• a. Still at least 0.8g/kg perhaps more (high
  quality)
• 5. CHO
• a. Required to spare protein
• b. Together (fiber) with water can alleviate
  constipation
• 6. Fat
• a. Limit to 30 of calories in most cases
  unless calories are problem

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Nutrient Needs of Older Adults (cont)

• C. Vitamins and Minerals
• 1. 18 over 60 years do not consume
  vegetables, 33 no fruit
• 2. Vitamin A
• a. Absorbed better but utilized less
  efficiently
• 3. Vitamin D
• a. Milk major source, sunlight
• 1. Both are reduced
• b. Increased needs
• 1. Maintain bone health

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Nutrient Needs of Older Adults (cont) Vitamins
and Minerals (cont)

• 4. B6 and B12
• a. Increased need due to altered metabolism
  or absorption
• 5. Iron and Zinc
• a. Medications could decrease bioavailability
• b. Decreased food consumption may compound
  problem
• 6. Calcium
• a. RDA is 800 mg, suggest increasing to 1500
  mg

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Nutrient Needs of Older Adults (cont) Vitamins
and Minerals (cont)

• D. Supplements
• 1. Over 65 years, 50 of women and 20 of
  men take supplements
• a. Usually not required
• b. Vitamin D and calcium for bone health or
  iron to prevent anemia sometimes
  recommended
• c. Caloric intake under 1500/day should take
  a daily multivitamin, NOT megavitamins

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Nutrient Concerns of the Elderly
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IV. Special Concerns of Older Adults

• A. Cataracts and Arthritis
• 1. Cataracts
• a. Caused by a number of factors one of which
  is oxidative damage
• 1. Inverse relationship between Vit E and C
  intake and the incidence of cataracts
• 2. Arthritis
• a. Weight loss can alleviate some discomfort
• b. Omega-3 fatty acids (fish) also decrease
  pain

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V. Food Choices and Eating Habits of Older
Adults

• A. Statistics 1. 5 of those over 65 live
  nursing homes
• 2. 20 of those over 80
• 3. most live at home independently or with
  relatives

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Food Choices and Eating Habits of Older Adults
(cont) Statistics (cont)

• 4. Implications a. eat at home so spend
  more at grocers b. food packaging is too
  difficult to open 1. can affect
  independenceB. Nutrition Programs
• 1. Meals delivered to homes
• a. Community groups, churches, government
• 2. Congregate meal sites