Nutrition in Older Adults

This chapter contains information on differences in macro- and micro-nutrient requirements for older people compared to younger adults. Adequacy and quality of dietary intake among older people, detection of risk or presence of malnutrition, and nutritional interventions, including use of appetite stimulants and artificial nutrition modalities, are discussed. A review of nutrition as a whole is beyond the scope of this chapter; however, background on terminology and dietary guidelines is included to provide clarity to topics in the chapter. Much of the data are from the United States, although information from other industrialized nations (e.g., Europe, Australia, New Zealand) are also incorporated since similar concerns exist with dietary quality, risk of malnutrition, and the aging population among most industrialized countries.