NUTRITION IN ADULT AND AGING

YEARS

Compiled by LNP
ADULT
 Health is defined as the
ability to function and live
outside an institution.

 Aging is a gradual process

that reflects the influence
of genetics, lifestyle and
environment over the
course of the lifespan
Adult generally need fewer calories
with each passing decades.
State of health at any age is
influenced by what is eaten.
One cannot have the best of
health unless one eats wisely.
Maintenance and Repair is the
theme for nutrition and the adult
Child grows taller as he matures,
adult lose stature.
The cumulative effects of maturation, disease,
medication and previous health practices
influence the nutrient needs of adults.
The mechanism of aging is a decline
in the number cells along with the
changes within the cells that
damage the cellular organelles and
changes in the basic genetic material
that affect cell replication.
The reduction in basal metabolism observed as a
change accompanying aging and a reduction in
activity explain the reduction in the suggested caloric
intake.
AVERAGE WOMEN WITH SEDENTARY
LIFESTYLE
AGE CALORIES
23-50 1600-2400
51-75 1400- 2200
75 and above 1200-2000
The control of chronic conditions with
medication and diet is a concern for
many adults.
The total nutrients needed for
replacement and repair of the mature
adult are more than the total nutrient
needs of the children except for
calcium, phosphorus and Vit D.
Average men with sedentary lifestyle
AGE CALORIES

23-50 2300-3100

51-75 2000-2800

75 and above 1650- 2450

Early years- 20-30
Their lifestyles are more time-restricted and positive
health behaviors such as regular meal pattern and
exercise may fall by the wayside.

These years marks a transition from one stage of the

life span to another; young adults separate from
their family of origin; focus on personal goals, and
often face reproduction decisions
Women bear children during these years
For women, the recommended dietary allowance for
energy is 2,200 kcal daily
For men, 2900 kcal.
This reflects the typical differences in body weight and
lean body mass of men and women
Vitamin and mineral needs do not significantly change.
Calcium and phosphorus needs for men and women
decline after age 18 because skeletal growth is almost
complete.
MIDDLE YEARS 40-80

Marked by a continuation of family demands and career

involvement
Kcaloric needs decline as lean body mass is lost and replaced
by body fat that is less metabolically active.
Body fat increases can be slowed by exercise and strength
training to continue maintenance of lean body mass.
After age 50, daily energy drop from 2,200 to 1920 kcal for
women
From 2900 to 2300 kcal for men.
It is a challenge to meet the same nutrient needs with
reduced kcaloric intake.
OLDER YEARS 60-80
As our life span increases in years, senescence is for many a time of life
for continued professional or career advancement and recreational
enjoyment.
Others are in transition, adjusting to retirement and settling into new
pattern of activities.
During these later years, individuals may struggle with deaths of family
members and friends and adjustment to retirement.
Disorientation or senility often associated with aging may be caused by
improper use of medication, marginal nutrient deficiencies.
Nocturia ( inability to get to the toilet on their own )
Fluid requirements in older adults remain the same as in younger adults (
about 8 cups a day ) unless with a medical condition.
Nutrition status may be affected by restricted access to food and ability
to prepare meals.
Adults may no longer have interest in cooking
Many continue to live in their own home with family
members, some opt for retirement communities and
others.
Change in ability of the body to either process or
synthesize certain nutrients.
Adult need more exposure to sunlight
OLDEST ADULT 80-90
Aging continue to reduce the ability of the body to absorb
and synthesize nutrients
Malnutrition and underweight become concern during this
stage.
Food preparation becomes physically difficult to accomplish
Kcaloric intake may diminish.
Illness accompanying medications may reduce appetite.
Malnutrition is associated with complications
Risk for dehydration
Decrease ability of kidney to concentrate urine
Limited movement.
ADULT HEALTH PROMOTION
Adequate intake of nutrients found in
foods ( rather than supplements )
Relationship between diet and disease
Moderate kcaloric intake coupled with
regular exercise for physical fitness and
obesity prevention.
“DETERMINE”
Adults are risk for:

Disease
Eating poorly
Tooth loss or oral pain
Economic hardship
Reduced social contact
Multiple medications
Involuntary weight loss or gain
Needs assistance with self-care
Elderly person older than 80 years
COMMON DISEASES IN ADULT
HEART DISEASE
Commonly considered a
disease in men
The increase of cholesterol
increases the risk of
cardiovascular disease CANCER
A heart-healthy diet that is low 2nd leading cause of death
in fat and saturated fat, rich in Lung cancer, breast cancer,
fruits, vegetables and whole colorectal cancer are 3 leading
grains. causes of cancer deaths.
High intake of fruits and vegetables
may protect against cancer
Rich in fruits, vegetables and whole
grains is protective against breast
cancer.
DIABETES
 Diabetes increase the risk of heart disease
 Obesity is implicated in the majority of cases of type 2 diabetes
 Weight management and a heart healthy diet are cornerstone of treatment

OSTEOPOROSIS
 Osteoporosis is a disease that is characterized by a decrease in
total bone mass and deterioration of bone tissue which leads to
increased bone fragility and risk of fracture.
 Between 30-35 years of age, peak bone mass a person will ever
have is attained.
 The vertebrae, hip, and wrist are most susceptible to fracture.
 Decrease in stature and deformity reduce lung capacity and
abdominal volume which may lead to chronic back pain, and
decrease tolerance in activity.
 Weight bearing exercise and calcium intake are important for
building and strengthening bones.
PROSTATE CANCER
 Is associated with fat intake, particularly saturated fat
 Men older that 40 should be encouraged to undergo annual rectal examination or
other forms of prostate cancer screening because overt symptoms may not occur
until cancer is advanced.
 AGING EYE ( including cataracts, glaucoma and macular
degeneration )
 ALZHEIMER’S AND OTHER DEMETIAS
 ANEMIA
 BLOOD PRESSURE ( HYPERTENSION )
 KIDNEY DISEASE
 LUNG DISEASES ( including COPD )
 MENOPAUSE
 OSTEOPOROSIS
 STROKE
 THYROID DISORDERS
 URINE AND BLADDER PROBLEMS
The key driver for eating is of course hunger but what we choose to eat is
not determined solely by physiological or nutritional needs
Biological determinants such as hunger, appetite, and taste
Economic determinants such as cost, income, availability
Physical determinants such as access, education, skills ( e.g. cooking )
and time.
Social determinants such as culture, family. peers and meal patterns.
Psychological determinants such as mood, stress and guilt
Attitudes, beliefs and knowledge about food.
NUTRIENT NEEDS AND NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF OLDER ADULTS
 WATER-dehydration is a risk for older adults
 ENERGY AND ENERGY YIELDING NUTRIENTS:
MEN at the age of 50-2,300 kcalories per day
WOMEN- 1,900 kcalories
for age 75-less
 Exercise is highly recommended
 Protein– the same as the younger age
 Carbohydrate is needed to protect protein from being used as energy
 High-fiber foods-constipation is a problem in aging persons
 Fat-needs to be limited
 Vit A and D
 Minerals- iron- medications that causes blood loss, antacid use interferes
with iron absorption
 Calcium
THE EFFECTS OF DRUGS ON NUTRIENTS
 DRUG CHANGE FOOD INTAKE BY:
1. Altering the appetite
2. Interfering with taste
3. Inducing nausea or vomiting
4. Causing sores in the mouth
 DRUG CHANGE NUTRIENT ABSORPTION BY:
1. Changing GI tract acidity
2. Altering digestive juices
3. Altering GI motility
4. Inactivating enzymes
5. Damaging intestinal cells
 DRUG CHANGE NUTRIENT METABOLISM
BY”
1. Interfering with enzymes
2. Binding to nutrients
 DRUGS CHANGE NUTRIENT EXCRETION
BY:
1. Altering kidney reabsorption
2. Displacing nutrients from their carriers