Nutrition in ageing Flashcards
(13 cards)
Risks of reduced eating in old age
impaired physical functioning
malnutrition
depression
cognitive impairment
Factors affecting food choice
physiological - joint probs, hand tremors, hearing probs, anxiety
social - isolation, bereavement, fear, depression
economical - isolation, low income
what is sarcopenia?
age-related loss of muscle mass, strength and function
Why would elderly person be at risk of malnutrition?
can be more dangerous than being moderately overweight.
• loss of taste, smell and touch can lead to poor appetite (meds, smoking or Alzheimer’s).
• tooth loss, use of dentures, dry mouth etc can lead to chewing problems
• hormone changes. Increased levels of cholecystokinin can lead to increased satiation after meals and delayed stomach emptying
• gastric changes ie inflammation and pain can lead to delayed emptying
• difficulty swallowing
What is Achlorhydria?
Reduction in stomach acid which can lead to B12 deficiency
What micronutrients are at risk of depletion?
B12 due to reduction in stomach acid
Vit D - skin does not synthesise as efficiently when older
Vit E - slows down with ageing
Calcium - decreased absorption
what can potassium do
lower BP
What can folate do
lower homocysteine levels, which is risk for CVD, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s
What body composition changes occur with ageing?
Fat mass and visceral fat increase
Lean muscle mass decreases
What two factors affect energy balance?
• age-related loss of fat free mass (FFM) - can lead to lower food intake
• gain of fat mass - risk obesity, CVD, diabetes
Both lead to impairment of self-regulation of energy balance
Why does lean body mass decrease in old age?
decreased activity of insulin, GH and androgens
Why might you gain fat mass in old age?
increased sedentary life
Ageing - what percentage is lifestyle and genes
30% genes; 70% lifestyle
