Optimising Nutrition for Ageing Populations: Challenges and Strategic Approaches
摘要
The Asia-Pacific region is undergoing rapid population aging, raising significant concerns about the nutritional well-being of older adults. This chapter explores the shifting dietary patterns among this population, emphasising the persistence of malnutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, and the increasing influence of Westernised diets. While traditional dietary habits—centred around staple foods such as rice, legumes, vegetables, and fish—have been associated with positive health outcomes, economic transitions, urbanisation, and evolving food accessibility have contributed to greater consumption of processed foods, dietary imbalances, and a rise in chronic diseases. Furthermore, regulatory and bureaucratic challenges, compounded by financial constraints and a shortage of trained healthcare professionals, hinder the seamless integration of geriatric nutrition into national health policies. To address these issues, strategies such as promoting nutrient-rich diets, fostering public-private partnerships, enhancing geriatric nutrition training for healthcare providers, and implementing more inclusive policies that taken into account about cultural background are crucial. Public health initiatives, advancements in food technology, and community-driven programs play an essential role in supporting healthy aging. A structured approach through evidence-based policy interventions can help overcome these barriers, enhance quality of life, improve nutritional intakes and outcomes, via reducing the healthcare burden associated with aging populations in the Asia-Pacific region.