Ch. 16 Adulthood/Elderly (tegrity) Flashcards
Lifestyle Effect on Aging: Healthy habits
Physiological age vs chronological age
Lifestyle behaviors
- -eating well-balanced meals
- -engaging in physical activity
- -not smoking
- -abstinence or moderate use of ETOH
- -maintaining a healthy body weight
- -sleeping regularly and adequately
The Aging Process: Physiological Changes
Body weight - 2/3 older adults considered overweight
–moderately overweight does not negatively affect health (BMI
The Aging Process: Body Composition
Lean and bone mass decrease
Sarcopenia and osteoporosis
Optimal nutrition, sufficient protein, and regular physical activity
Obesity further contributes to sarcopenia and osteoporosis beyond lack of exercise
The Aging Process: Immune System
Loses function with age
“Inflammaging” - chronic inflammation that results in tissue damage
Inflammation is the underlying cause in most major disease and comorbid conditions
The Aging Process: Compromised by Nutrient Deficiencies
Reduced nutrient stores
Medications are less efficacious in malnourished patients
The Aging Process: Does regular physical activity improve immune system responses?
Yes
The Aging Process: Decline in GI Tract Function
Intestinal walls lose strength and elasticity = slowed motility
Diminished opposite (both physiologically and due to reduced sensory input)
Atrophic gastritis = increased risk of nutrient deficiencies
Dysphagia = swallowing dysfunction
The Aging Process: Tooth Loss
Inadequate dental care over a lifetime takes its toll
Difficult and painful chewing results in:
- -limited food sources
- -less dietary variety
- -lower intakes of fiber and vitamins
The Aging Process: Physiological Changes
Depression common - effects appetite and motivation to prepare foods
Adequate exercise can stem depression
The Aging Process: Economic Changes
Living arrangements and income
The Aging Process: Social Change
Hospital and nursing home malnutrition
Malnutrition in the community is most likely among those who live alone, especially men
Energy and Nutrient Needs of Older Adults: Energy and Energy Nutrients
Energy needs decline
- -partly due to decreased metabolic rate
- -a lot due to decreased muscle mass
Energy and Nutrient Needs of Older Adults: Nutrient Needs
Remain high = must choose nutrient dense foods
Energy and Nutrient Needs of Older Adults: Protein
Especially important for fighting infections
Low-calorie sources
Some choose liquid nutrition supplements, but not necessary with an adequate diet in healthy adults
Energy and Nutrient Needs of Older Adults: CHO
Minimum CHO and fiber recommendations is the same
- -consumption is typically inadequate
- -low fiber + low fluid = constipation
Energy and Nutrient Needs of Older Adults: Water
Decreased thirst response and dry mouth queue to drink
Incased risk of dehydration
- -dehydration associated with recurrent UTIs, pneumonia, pressure ulcers, confusion, and disorientation
- -prevention: encourage fluids often and consume fluid-rich foods
Energy and Nutrient Needs of Older Adults: Vitamin B12
Changes in stomach acidity effects absorption of B12
Fortified foods and supplements may not help
IM injections or sublingual supplements may be necessary
Energy and Nutrient Needs of Older Adults: Vitamin D
Skin loses the ability to make Vitamin D and kidneys lose the ability to activate vitamin D
Must rely on fortified sources
Energy and Nutrient Needs of Older Adults: Folate
Intakes of folate rich foods are often low, compounded by use of medications interfering with folate metabolism
Energy and Nutrient Needs of Older Adults: Calcium
Recommendations are slightly higher than that of adults
- -intakes are chronically lower
- -effects???
Energy and Nutrient Needs of Older Adults: Iron
Needs for men stay the same
Needs for women decrease to roughly the same as men when postmenopausal
Nutrition-Related Concerns of Older Adults: Osteoarthritis
Deterioration of cartilage in the joints often associated with being overweight
Aerobic activity can help maintain weight and combined with resistance training decrease pain
Nutrition-Related Concerns of Older Adults: Gout
Deposits of uric acid in joints
–uric acid develops from purines in foods = meats and seafoods
Nutrition-Related Concerns of Older Adults: Rheumatoid Arthritis
Autoimmune disease
Diets that can reduce inflammation = heart healthy and adequate Omega-3
Antioxidants can defend against oxidative stress alleviate some pain
Nutrition-Related Concerns of Older Adults: The Aging Brain
Characteristic changes with age
- -loss of neurons
- -decreased blood supply
Nutrient deficiencies impacts brain function
Alzheimer’s disease = abnormal deterioration of the brain
- -genetics and oxidative stress involved, but exact cause is unknown
- -CVD risk factors (HTN, hyperglycemia) related to development of Alzheimer’s
- -nutrition treatment involves planning well-liked foods that are bite-sized
Food Choices and Eating Habits of Older Adults
Older people are an incredibly diverse group
- -quality of life has improved and chronic disabilities have declined
- -spend more money on foods to eat at home and less money on foods away rom home
Factors determining food choices
- -same as adults = familiarity, taste, and health belief
- -different from adults = less likely to manipulate diet for weight loss, rather for treatment of medical issue
Food Assistance Programs
Nutrition Screening Initiative
- -identify nutrition problems in older persons
- -screening checklist
Older Americans Act Nutrition Program
- -goal = improve nutrition status, avoid medical problems, allow them to continue living in communities and out of institutions
- -congregate meals at group settings and meals on wheels
- -must be over 60 to participate
Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program provides vouches of reproduce at Farmers Markets
