1900 = 47 years

Now = 78 years

Due to medical advances and improved nutrition

Upper limit of longevity is 130 yrs

20-30% genetic

70-80% lifestyle

Slowing the aging process

-healthy habits

Slowing the aging process

-restriction of kcals

Powerful predictor of mobility in later years

promotes healthy weight, flexibility and balance endurance and balance

tones firms and strengthens muscles

should be done daily

Helps prevent obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease

Prevents deficiency diseases

Variety may protect against some cancers

Moderate sugar prevents dental caries

Age-related thickening of the lens of the eye

Can lead to blindness

Risk factors: oxidative stress and obesity

leading cause of blindness in persons over 65

risk factors: oxidative stress from sunlight

omega 3 fatty acids may be protective

 most common

painful swelling of joints

interventions: weight loss, aerobic activity, weight training

Immune system attacks bone coverings

Interventions: vegetables, olive oil, omega 3 fatty acids, low saturated fat

blood supply decreases

# of neurons diminishes

cerebral cortex: affects hearing and speech

hindbrain: affects balance & posture

Aging brain

NUTRIENT DEFICIENCIES

Need vitamins and minerals for neurotransmitter fucnctioning

some losses may be diet related

Most prevalent form of senile dementia

gradually lose:

memory & reasoning

ability to communicate

physical capabilities

life itself

free radicals

elevated blood homocysteine

obesity

high blood pressure

diabetes

DRI categories

51-70 yrs old

71 and older

Standards are difficult to set for older adults

Individual differences become more pronounced

Genetics

dietary history

chronic diseases

5% per decade

Lean body mass diminshes

BMR slows

select nutrient dense foods

Sacropenia

needs are about the same as younger adults

need low-calorie, high quantity

Moderate amounts

Need to provide essential fatty acids

Need abundant amounts to spare protein

whole grains

Needed to prevent constipation

25 or more grams/ a day

Total body water decreases with age

dehydration is a risk

do not seem to feel thirsty or notice mouth dryness

Water needed 

women

Water needed

men

UT infections

Pneumonia

Pressure ulcers

confusions

Disorientation

Drink little milk

limited exposure to sunlight

capacity of skin and kidneys to produce active vitamin D is decreased

Stomach acid decreases

Atrophic gastritis: malabsorption of B12

Anemia less common than in younger adults

Deficiency: Chronic blood loss, poor absorption

Commonly low 

Can depress appetite

Needed throughout life to prevent osteoporosis

Calcium Al for late adulthood = 1200 mg/day

Food is the best source of nutrients

A balanced low-dose vitamin & mineral supplements may be advised

Independent 

Socially sophisticated

Mentally lucid

Fully participating members of society

spend more money per person on foods to eat at home

Most common with advancing age

affects food intake and appetite

Many looses

Feel powerless

Disease

Eating poorly

Tooth loss

Economic hardshio

Reduced social contact

Multiple medications

Involuntary weight loss

Needs assistance with selfcare 

Elderly older than 80

Not enough storage for food

food may go bad

limited income

food poverty

lack of money 

>12 % live in poverty in US

Alcohol & other drug abuse

lack of awareness of assistance programs

reluctance to accept charity or welfare