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THE ELDERLY AND NUTRITION.
Term Paper ID:30461
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Essay Subject:
Discusses evaluating nutrition for the elderly population.... More...
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5 Pages / 1125 Words
7 sources, 10 Citations,
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Paper Abstract:
Discusses evaluating nutrition for the elderly population. Issue of mindset of the elederly, as well as availability of food, vitamins and supplements. Problem of the institutionalized elderly who have an inadequate intake of specific nutrients. Food habits. Measures to build up the daily nutrient intake of the elderly and increase awareness of proper nutrition.
Paper Introduction:
THE ELDERLY AND NUTRITION: AN EVALUATION
An overwhelming number of senior citizens, who are not institutionalized have an inadequate intake of specific nutrients, as recommended by the 1980 Daily Dietary Allowances. For many, the fact that they are not “eating properly” is balanced, in their minds, by taking vitamins and other supplements whose products are heavily advertised on TV, radio, and in publications such as that of the AARP. Perhaps there is no more important aspect of providing proper nutrition for the elderly in the coming years than being able to realize that a “quick fix” like taking vitamin or supplements does not replace proper nutrition. "The first line of attack for many problems is already diet-centered…Despite all the breakthroughs in nutritional research, deciding what and how to eat can still be enormously c
Text of the Paper:
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Someintensive research is called for that will provide a stable diet for longer-living people. As Lee (2 1) indicates, "sociodemographic, economic, psychological,physical functioning, health, and behavioral, and adverse health conditionshave been known to influence nutrient intakes" (p. viii). 2 28). In other words, evaluating nutrition for the elderly comes down not somuch to the availability of food, vitamins, and food supplements, as muchas the mindset of the elderly. 2 28). (1999) Journal ofNutrition Vol. 12 (13 ) pp 927S- 93 S In part to offset this sort of elderly mindset, various researchstudies have shown that getting one's mind off stress, age, and physicalproblems, and replacing those thoughts with activities, including somephysical exercise and mental activities can improve nutrient intake merelyby increasing appetite and the very desire to eat. It is rather obvious, even without research,that food that tastes good, and can be tasted by the eater, is more likelyto be consumed than something bland for which the older eater has no tastesensation. While this study is certainly one means of offsetting certaineating problems, it is still a rather hard fact to face: some elderlypeople simply do not want to eat- feeling that that they are prolongingtheir lives by eating, when, for reasons of ill health, mental or physicaldisabilities, frailty, etc., they prefer not to maintain their lives. 2 28).DeJong (1999) also feels that far more controlled experimentation is neededfor frail elderly people (p. Thereason is that your body has the built-in mechanisms necessary not only to neutralize free radicals (oxidants) but to heal the damage they cause. Ms. Dchiffman's research has shown thatcertain additives, including monosodium glutamate (MSG) enhances flavors inmany cases for the elderly. According to Schiffman (2 )by 2 25 the world's population of 6 + will be 1.121 billion. But,books, videotapes, even television programming or public servicepresentations, will only reach some people- and, among these many willignore the warnings, or simply not care to follow dietary advice. "The first lineof attack for many problems is already diet-centered...Despite all thebreakthroughs in nutritional research, deciding what and how to eat canstill be enormously confusing" (Feltman, 1993, p. Lee (2 1) seemed to find that there waslittle or no difference. This is an aging phenomenon worldwide. THE ELDERLY AND NUTRITION: AN EVALUATION An overwhelming number of senior citizens, who are notinstitutionalized have an inadequate intake of specific nutrients, asrecommended by the 198 Daily Dietary Allowances. Given that some elderly are unaware of daily allowances, and simplyare unable to buy necessary foods, or simply forget or don't care, there isone other reason given for this lack of proper intake: "taste and smelllosses in the elderly can reduce appetite and lead to inadequate dietaryintake" (Schiffman, 2 , p. Education may be a logical first step. 765). Food insecurity occurs among peopleunable to afford to buy the proper nutrient foods, as well as those whosimply ignore the sort of foods that their doctors tell them "are good foryou". ElderlyPersons" Journal of Nutrition Vol. Firshein, Ronald, DO: (1998) The Nutraceutical Revolution New York:Riverhead Books Lee, Jung Sun and Frongillo, Edward A., Jr.: (2 1) "Nutritional andHealth Consequences Are Associated with Food insecurity among U.S. Perhaps there is nomore important aspect of providing proper nutrition for the elderly in thecoming years than being able to realize that a "quick fix" like takingvitamin or supplements does not replace proper nutrition. 11 (129) pp 2 28-2 36. While health professionals still recommend vitamins as part of a totalnutritional diet daily, even for the elderly, the modern facts now includethe aspects that "when we think of disease-fighting nutrients today, wedon't just worry about Vitamins A or C of E. So, in tacklingnutrition (or lack of it) for the elderly, one needs to eliminate theassumption that vitamins will take care of an otherwise improper dailynutrient intake for too many elderly. It is true that, according to DeJong (1999)the real problem of the onset of frailty and loss of taste or appetite (ora combination of all the above) is age- or health related, rather thannutrition related (p. One of the problems currently investigated is that of "oxidation". 15 3). The solution lies in the way your body was originally intended to operate if it is given the proper nutrients (Balch, 1998, p. Feltman, John (editor): (1993): Prevention Magazine's Food andNutrition Emmaus PA: Rodale Press, Inc. 15 3). We study the hormones andchemicals in plants and herbs" (Firshein, 1998, p. For many, the fact thatthey are not "eating properly" is balanced, in their minds, by takingvitamins and other supplements whose products are heavily advertised on TV,radio, and in publications such as that of the AARP. Dr. Balch, and many others who write books about vitamins and othernutritional supplements, excuse their urgency by saying that "thecornerstone of good health is the immune system and its integrity" (Balch,1998, p. It seems obvious from these and otherbooks and journal articles that there will be an increasing problem aboutdecent nutrition for the elderly, as America's population continues togray. Of course, aging also affects the metabolism,so that perhaps less food intake is needed. Elderly Persons"Journal of Nutrition Vol 13 (131) pp 765-773 Schiffman, Susan S.: (2 ) "Intensification of Sensory Properties ofFoods for the Elderly" Journal of Nutrition Vol. The real problem, according to medicalresearchers is "food insecurity". On the other hand, the sad factof old age - especially in the U.S. Once again, the focus has to be not merely on specific foods - butvarious supplements, especially for the elderly who- for whatever reason -do not WANT to eat, or cannot eat properly. References Balch, James F. Jr.: (2 1) "UnderstandingNeeds Is Important ifor Assessing the Impact of Food Assistance ProgramParticipation on Nutritional and Health Status in U.S. Further, we studythe elderly and their food habits. Focusing strictly on finding ways and means of building up the dailynutrient intake of the elderly, one would think that using food assistanceprograms would make a difference. 927S). In evaluating those elderly persons on a foodassistance program and those who were not, "The benefit of programparticipation was not greater for food insecure elderly persons than forthe food secure" (Lee, 2 1, p. "By definition, food insecurity occurswhenever the availability of nutritionally adequate and safe foods or theability to acquire acceptable foods in socially acceptable ways is limitedor uncertain" (Lee, 2 1, p. 6-7). 7). Oneof the growing industries of dietary supplements are "anti-oxidants". How many ofthem will be getting sufficient nutrients in their daily diet may wellbecome a truly serious problem. DeJong, Nynke, Chin A Paw, Marijke J.M., deGroot, Lisette C.P.G.M.,deGraaf, Cees, Kok, Frans J.,and van Staveren, Wija A. MD, (1998) The Super Anti-Oxidants New York: M.Evans & Co. 223). While DeJong's research(1999) gave some initial results, the long-term protective effects of nutrient supplementation and exercise, by maintaining optimum nutrient levels and thereby reducing the initial chance of developing critical biochemical values, require further investigation (DeJong, 1999, p. - is that there is help to providenutritious daily meals, but not all those eligible or who would need theseservices avail themselves of them. 13 (131) pp 15 3-15 9 Lee, Jung Sun and Frongillo, Edward A. What this seems to indicate is thatthere are measures, whether privately, federally or locally funded, thatcould make a difference in proper nutrition for the elderly, but that eventhose who choose to take advantage of such programs, do not seem to begreatly helped in improving their nutrient intake or their eating habits ingeneral.
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