Topic 11: Nutrition & Ageing

Question 1

What is the recommended protein intake for healthy older adults?

Answer 1

1.0–1.2 g/kg body weight per day.

Question 2

What is the protein recommendation for malnourished older adults?

Answer 2

1.2–1.5 g/kg body weight per day.

Question 3

How much protein is recommended per meal to optimize muscle protein synthesis?

Answer 3

25–30 grams of protein per meal.

Question 4

What is ‘anabolic resistance’ in ageing?

Answer 4

Reduced efficiency in using dietary protein to stimulate muscle protein synthesis.

Question 5

What is an effective feeding strategy to optimize protein utilization in older adults?

Answer 5

Evenly distribute protein intake across all meals.

Question 6

What body composition changes occur with ageing?

Answer 6

• Loss of muscle mass (sarcopenia)
• gain in fat mass, and
• loss of bone mineral density.

Question 7

What is sarcopenia?

Answer 7

Progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass and **function **with age.

Question 8

List 5 risk factors for osteoporosis.

Answer 8

1. Low calcium/Vitamin D intake
2. smoking
3. alcohol use
4. low body weight, and
5. lack of exercise.

Question 9

What hormonal changes increase osteoporosis risk in women?

Answer 9

Decreased estrogen after menopause.

Question 10

Which vitamin deficiency is common in older adults and affects bone health?

Answer 10

Vitamin D deficiency.

Question 11

Which two nutrients are essential for bone health in older adults?

Answer 11

Calcium and Vitamin D.

Question 12

Why is vitamin D important for bone health?

Answer 12

It enhances calcium absorption and regulates bone remodeling.

Question 13

Name 4 risk factors for malnutrition in older adults.

Answer 13

1. Poor dentition
2. depression
3. difficulty preparing food, and
4. chronic disease.

Question 14

What is the ESPEN definition for malnutrition?

European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism

Answer 14

**BMI <18.5 kg/m² **or
unintentional weight loss plus BMI <20 (<70 yrs) or <22 (>70 yrs).

Question 15

What causes decreased appetite in older adults?

Answer 15

• Changes in taste/smell
• hormonal changes
• gastric changes, and
• inflammation.

Question 16

What hormone changes contribute to anorexia of ageing?

Answer 16

Increased leptin and CCK levels, and decreased nitric oxide.

Question 17

Which nutrients are commonly deficient in the elderly due to decreased gastric acid?

Answer 17

• Vitamin B12
• calcium
• iron, and
• folate.

Question 18

What BMI range is considered healthy for older adults (≥65 years)?

Answer 18

23–30 kg/m².

Question 19

What BMI is classified as underweight in older adults?

Answer 19

≤22 kg/m².

Question 20

What is the BMI classification for overweight in older adults?

Answer 20

≥30 kg/m².