* Nutrition Education

for Elder
Population

Presentation by: Amory Strange

*Learning Objectives
*Understand the health concerns related to an

unhealthy diet and lack of physical activity.

*Recognize good sources of all food groups i.e.
protein, carbohydrates, and fat.
*Obtain adequate information on important
vitamins and minerals that decline with age.
*Learn about physical activity and how to maintain
it with aging.
*Understand the concept of Energy in=Energy out.

*Health Concerns
*The older population is at most risk for diseases and

conditions related to unhealthy diets and

inadequate physical activity.
*Almost 80% of older adults have one chronic
condition, and half of all older adults have two or
more.
*Of the most common causes of death of adults
aged 65 years and older in the United States, five of
eight have a known nutritional influence.
*Diseases of the heart and circulatory system are
second only to arthritis as a major cause of physical
disability among people 60 years or older.

*Healthy diets: Why

are they important?

* Eating a balanced and healthy diet will allow the

body to maintain a balance of energy throughout the

day and throughout the lifetime.
* It can reduce the risk of developing chronic diseases
such as high blood pressure, diabetes, hypertension,
and heart disease. If you have a chronic disease,
eating well can help to manage the disease.
* Portion sizes are important for adequate intake, NOT
excess intake of nutrients.
* The more colorful the plate of food, the better!

*Carbohydrates (CHOs)
* CHOs are sugars (glucose) that give you energy.
* It is crucial to have a balance with the energy you are
taking in and energy you are putting out via exercise,
especially because physical ability tends to decrease
with age, which allows for less energy to consume.
* Good sources of carbs would be: fruits, vegetables,
grains, and milk and milk products.

*Protein
*Proteins are made up of tiny amino acids that

can be essential (naturally occurring in the

body) or nonessential (must obtain through diet
or supplements).
*Physiologic changes and reduced lean body
mass leads to decreases in total body protein
and contributes to increased frailty, impaired
wound healing, and decreased immune
function with advancing age.
* Some good sources of protein are: meat,
poultry, fish, eggs, beans, and dairy products
(cheese, yogurt).

*Fat
* Fat is not always bad, but it is important to know the

difference between good fat and bad fat in foods.

* Fat provides satiety for in-between meal times, gives
you energy, and helps the absorption of some vitamins
and minerals, but it can also be high in calories.
* Fat can come from foods and from what we cook our
foods with like, butter, shortening, and even oils.
* Some examples of healthy fats are: avocado, fish, nuts,
monounsaturated oils, and dark green veggies.

*Fiber
* Fiber can easily cause an excess in carbohydrate

intake because many fiber-dense foods are

carbohydrates.
* In addition to providing nutrients such as vitamins,
minerals, and antioxidants, fiber provides benefits
such as improved digestion, improved glycemic
control, and reduced cholesterol.
* Some good food sources of fiber are: fiber-dense
cereals, raw fruits (berries) and veggies, beans,
nuts/seeds, and whole grains (bread, brown rice,
quinoa).

*Vitamins & Minerals

*Vitamin D and B12 are important for the older

population because of their effects on bone

preservation and neuromuscular functioning.
*Vitamin D and Calcium are known for their
crucial role in the delay and prevention of the
progression of osteoporosis.
*Many vitamins and minerals are difficult to
obtain through the diet, but can easily be taken
in adequate amount through supplements like a
multivitamin capsule.

*Physical activity:

Why is it important?
* As a person ages, their physical activity level decreases

for a number of reasons like malnutrition and medical

conditions due to normal aging.
* Muscle strength plays an important role in determining
risk for falls, which result in fractures and other
injuries.
* Physical activity is important for all ages throughout
life to maintain a healthy body weight and keep the
balance of energy in and energy out.

*Physical Activity
* The elderly population should set a goal of 150

minutes per week of moderate intensity aerobic

activity like power walking.
* OR 75 minutes of high-intensity aerobic activity
like jogging or running.
* Muscle strengthening 2 or more days a week is a
good goal to keep your muscle strong in order to
continue doing daily activities.
* Physical activity needs are varied depending on
ability and medical limitations so it would be
best to consult a doctor before setting an
individual goal.

Needs

*Sources:
*

USDA. (2015, August 18). Older Adulta. In Choose

MyPlate. Retrieved April 7, 2016, from
http://www.choosemyplate.gov/older-adults
* Mahan, K., Stump, S. E., & Raymond, J. L. (2012).
Krause's Food and the Nutrition Care Process (13th ed.,
pp. 442-458). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Saunders.
* Bernstein, M. Position of the Academy of Nutrition and
Dietetics: Food and Nutrition for Older Adults: Promoting
Health and Wellness [Electronic version]. Journal of the
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 112(8), 1255-1277.
* Mithal, A., Josse, R., Lips, P., Boonen, S., Burckhart, P.,
Degens, H., & Cooper, C. (2013). Impact of Nutrition On
Muscle Mass, Strength, and Performance in Older Adults.
Osteoporos Int., 24, 1555-1566.
* Rejeski, W., Brubaker, P., Goff, Jr., D., Bearon, L.,
McClelland, J., Perri, M., & Ambrosius, W. (2011, May
23). Translating Weight Loss and Physical Activity
Programs Into the Community to Preserve Mobility in
Older, Obese Adults in Poor Cardiovascular Health.
American Medical Association, 101(10), 880-886.