DE SAGUN, LEILA CAMILLE

BSN3Y1-1B
CT3-LEC

Study Questions

What are the factors affecting nutrition in the elderly, discuss and explain why?
The factors affecting nutrition in the elderly are:
Changes in Body Composition
o Sarcopenia (excessive loss of lean muscle mass) is a result of:
 Disability or disease
 Sedentary lifestyle
 Decreased anabolic hormone production
 Increased cytokine activity
 Decreased nutrition
o Loss of muscle can lead to
 Functional decline in strength and endurance
 Predisposition to falls
 Lower total body water (TBW)
o At age 65, TBW is about 60% of total body mass (a decline from 72%)
o Bone Mineral Density
 Loss of mineral density with aging
2. Cognitive or physical limitations
o Inadequate access to free fluids
o Thirst dysregulation
3. Sensory Changes
o Changes in vision, hearing, taste, and smell impact the ability to obtain, prepare,
and enjoy food.
4.Medication side effects
o Impact on appetite and taste
o Decreased saliva
o Gastrointestinal side effects
5. Altered Nutritional Adequacy
 May be caused by
o More sedentary lifestyle
o Social isolation
o Changes in economic status
6.Oral and Gastrointestinal changes affecting Nutrition
 Changes in the oral cavity :
o loss of tooth/ill-fitting dentures
o mouth dryness
o Saliva production declines (xerostomia)
o Taste and swallowing are hindered
o decreased esophageal motility.
o Achlorhydria (lack of hydrochloric acid)
o Absorption of B12 and iron is impaired
DE SAGUN, LEILA CAMILLE
BSN3Y1-1B
CT3-LEC
o Reduced gastric production of intrinsic factor can also impair B12 absorption
o Cholecystokinan (CCK) production increases with age and can cause early
satiety.

Which nutrient do the elderly have problem absorbing?

 Elderly persons show reduced absorption of calcium, in general, which is related to
age-related changes in vitamin D metabolism.
 Older adults need more calcium and vitamin D to help maintain bone health. To meet
these needs, select calcium-rich foods and beverages and aim for three servings of
low-fat or fat-free dairy products each day. Other sources of calcium include fortified
cereals and fruit juices, dark green leafy vegetables, canned fish with soft bones, and
fortified plant-based beverages. Good sources of vitamin D include fatty fish, such as
salmon, eggs and fortified foods and beverages. If you take a calcium supplement or
multivitamin, choose one that contains vitamin D.
 Vitamin B12

Get the nutritional status of your grandmother or grandfather (aged 65 y/o up) using the
Mini Nutritional Assessment. If there will be a problem regarding the result of nutritional
status of your love ones, how can you help them to improve their nutritional status?
DE SAGUN, LEILA CAMILLE
BSN3Y1-1B
CT3-LEC

Mini Nutritional Assessment MNA®

LAST: ABIVA First name: LUCINA

Sex: F Age: 65 Weight, kg: Height, cm: Date: 09/10/20

66 149

Complete the screen by filling in the boxes with the appropriate numbers. Total the numbers for the final screening score.

Screening
Has food intake declined over the past 3 months due to loss of appetite, digestive problems, chewing
or swallowing difficulties?
0 = severe decrease in food intake
1 = moderate decrease in food intake 2 = no decrease in food intake

Weight loss during the last 3 months

2
0 = weight loss greater than 3 kg (6.6 lbs) 1 = does not know
2 = weight loss between 1 and 3 kg (2.2 and 6.6 lbs) 3 = no weight loss

Mobility
0 = bed or chair bound 2
1 = able to get out of bed / chair but does not go out 2 = goes out

Has suffered psychological stress or acute disease in the past 3 months?

0 = yes2 = no
2
Neuropsychological problems
0 = severe dementia or depression 1 = mild dementia
2 = no psychological problems 2
F1 Body Mass Index (BMI) (weight in kg) I (height in m ) 2

0 = BMI less than 19

1 = BMI 19 to less than 21
2 = BMI 21 to less than 23 2
3 = BMI 23 or greater

IF BMI IS NOT AVAILABLE, REPLACE QUESTION F1 WITH QUESTION

F2. DO NOT ANSWER QUESTION F2 IF QUESTION F1 IS ALREADY
COMPLETED.

F2 Calf circumference (CC) in cm

0 = CC less than 31
3 = CC 31 or greater 3
Screening score (max. 14 points)

12 - 14 points: Normal nutritional status

8 - 11 points: At risk of malnutrition
0 - 7 points: Malnourished 13

The screening score for mini nutritional assessment is 13 it means that she has normal
nutritional status