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Nutrition

Nutrition remains important throughout life. Many chronic diseases that develop late in life, such as osteoporosis, can be influenced by earlier poor eating habits. Insufficient exercise and calcium intake, especially during adolescence and early adulthood, can significantly increase the risk of osteoporosis, a disease that causes bones to become brittle and crack or break.

But good nutrition in the later years still can help lessen the effects of diseases prevalent among older Americans or improve the quality of life in people who have such diseases. They include osteoporosis, obesity, high blood pressure, heart disease, certain cancers, gastrointestinal problems, and chronic under-nutrition.

Studies show that a good diet in later years helps both in reducing the risk of these diseases and in managing the diseases' signs and symptoms. This contributes to a higher quality of life, enabling older people to maintain their independence by continuing to perform basic daily activities, such as bathing, dressing and eating. Poor nutrition, on the other hand, can prolong recovery from illnesses, increase the costs and incidence of institutionalization, and lead to a poorer quality of life.

Reasons for poor nutrition among seniors:

Eating alone
Depression ad loneliness
Taking multiple medications
Smoking
Failing health
Poor dental health

Common Senior Nutritional Problems:

Diets high in fats
Diets low in calories

Eating Tips:

Eat daily from the five food groups (grains, vegetables, fruits, meats/beans, and dairy
Reduce fat, cholesterol, and salt in the diet
Make sure that you get enough calcium and Vitamin D
Don't smoke
Be careful not to overeat
Seek help if you have an alcohol problem
Be sure to drink enough fluid and consume enough fiber