How Does Nutrition Affect Nutritional Health
Introduction
Aging is an inevitable process and therefore it is important to know exactly what implications it has on ones’ nutritional health. The nutritional status of an elderly patient is very critical, as they are at a high risk for malnutrition. As their bodies change, they may find themselves with a micronutrient deficiency that they have never had before. This is because of the DRI’s changing for each age and gender group. The elderly has to focus on maintaining their lean muscle mass whilst increasing their nutritional needs and decreasing their energy requirements.
What is Malnutrition?
Malnutrition can refer to both undernutrition and overnutrition, and is the result of the body not getting the correct amount of vitamins, minerals …show more content…
Sensory attributes are an important factor of the human body and they play a large role in achieving a healthy nutritional status. (de Boer, Ter Horst, Lorist, 2013:12) Sense of sight, smell and taste are vital to ensure a healthy appetite amongst people. When the food looks good and smells good the chances of you wanting to eat it will increase. And once you taste it and enjoy the food, you will continue to eat. Your senses encourage your body to consume the nutrients but for the elderly, who have lost or experienced a decline in sensory perception, eating may not be as pleasant or satisfying anymore. Most of the older generation may become undernourished because of their lack to see, smell and taste their food. The number of taste buds diminishes over time, and leaves food tasting bland, and the other senses are also like that. The elderly will therefore start eating less and less food and become at risk for …show more content…
Thankfully there are numerous studies to look at when working with an elderly patient and they cover a wide range of topics regarding nutritional assessment. I believe it is important to try improve the quality of life of the older generation, so that they can enjoy and celebrate their life and not be brought down by health issues. This can be done by paying careful attention to the nutrient intake of the elders around you, either professionally or
Aging is an inevitable process and therefore it is important to know exactly what implications it has on ones’ nutritional health. The nutritional status of an elderly patient is very critical, as they are at a high risk for malnutrition. As their bodies change, they may find themselves with a micronutrient deficiency that they have never had before. This is because of the DRI’s changing for each age and gender group. The elderly has to focus on maintaining their lean muscle mass whilst increasing their nutritional needs and decreasing their energy requirements.
What is Malnutrition?
Malnutrition can refer to both undernutrition and overnutrition, and is the result of the body not getting the correct amount of vitamins, minerals …show more content…
Sensory attributes are an important factor of the human body and they play a large role in achieving a healthy nutritional status. (de Boer, Ter Horst, Lorist, 2013:12) Sense of sight, smell and taste are vital to ensure a healthy appetite amongst people. When the food looks good and smells good the chances of you wanting to eat it will increase. And once you taste it and enjoy the food, you will continue to eat. Your senses encourage your body to consume the nutrients but for the elderly, who have lost or experienced a decline in sensory perception, eating may not be as pleasant or satisfying anymore. Most of the older generation may become undernourished because of their lack to see, smell and taste their food. The number of taste buds diminishes over time, and leaves food tasting bland, and the other senses are also like that. The elderly will therefore start eating less and less food and become at risk for …show more content…
Thankfully there are numerous studies to look at when working with an elderly patient and they cover a wide range of topics regarding nutritional assessment. I believe it is important to try improve the quality of life of the older generation, so that they can enjoy and celebrate their life and not be brought down by health issues. This can be done by paying careful attention to the nutrient intake of the elders around you, either professionally or