How ageing factors affect the nutritional status of the elderly?
Good nutrition is important at any stage of life. Healthy eating habits go a long way in preventing and managing heart diseases, diabetes, osteoporosis, etc.
As ageing starts, the metabolism declines and so does the functioning of the body.
The nutritional status, digestion gets affected by medical infirmities.
Adequate nutrition is needed to encounter practical problems, the requirements of certain nutrients may be reduced and requirements for essential nutrients may rise in later life.
Many diseases are a result of dietary factors, these factors are compounded by natural changes that occur. Moreover, lifestyle dependent disorders and diseases are among the most common diseases affecting the elderly. Decreased physical activity, an improper diet like increased fat intake leads to increased cholesterol and other atherogenic risk factors, later on, lead to the development of coronary heart disease.
Older people are susceptible to malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies that can happen due to factors like reduced food intake, lack of variety in the diet, malabsorption problems and food-drug interactions. Another contributing factor is economic status, as they get retired and everyone doesn’t have a strong financial background, so a high price of certain healthy foods further discourages their intake in the diet.
They have decreased immune function, other changes may also include the loss of cognitive functioning and deteriorating vision. Diet modifications may seem to affect risk factors. Eg. a modest reduction in saturated fat and salt intake, would reduce blood pressure and cholesterol concentration.
Physiological Factors
- Vitamin D deficiency is a major cause of metabolic bone disease in the elderly.
- A decline in gastric acidity occurs with age which causes malabsorption of food-bound vitamin B 12.
- Certain deficiencies occur due to poor diet or appetite or may be due to modified immune response.
- Dehydration, caused by a decline in kidney functioning is the major concern in the older population.
- Overt deficiency of vitamins is associated with neurological and/or behavioural impairments B1, B2, niacin, B6, B12, pantothenic acid, vitamin C.
Psychological Factors
- Physically handicapped and don’t get sufficient attention and care
- Isolated ones or who live alone are unable to maintain their health
- Chronic diseases or a restrictive diet
- Low purchasing power
Pharmacological Factors
- Most elderly take over the counter medications daily for stomach issues like acidity.
- Prescription drugs are the primary cause of gastrointestinal disturbances, xerostomia (dry mouth), interference with nutrient absorption and utilisation.
Other Oral Factors
- Age-related diseases in the senses lead to a decrease in health disorders, oral hygiene, smoking.
- Sense of smell decreases with age and sensory changes diminish the appeal of some foods.
- Elderly who wear a denture, the chewing ability is lower and take longer to swallow.
Therefore, the above-mentioned factors affect the nutritional status of the elderly and it is a matter of concern to take care of the dietary needs to maintain health.
REFERENCES
- Bhadodkar et al, 2017.Nutrition for geriatric denture patients.The Journal of Indian Prosthodontic Society
- Naik N et al.,2015. Int J Dent Health Sci; 2(4):826-833 https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/a6eb/40def5507a84aff31780415fca1c35adc69c.pdf