Nutrition through the Lifespan:

Later Adulthood
Chapter 13
Aging
 Older Adults in Canada

Most urgent nutritional

need in older adulthood
is to have made good
food choices over the
life span

Government of Canada
 Older Adults in Canada
 Average life expectancy has increased
 Currently 82 years
 Up from 71 years in 1960
 Contributing factors
 Advances in medical sciences
 Improved nutrition and ample food supply
 Research in the field of aging is challenging
 Older adults a diverse group
 Difficult to attribute health problems to
specific cause

Government of Canada
 Questions we ask ourselves…
 To what extent is aging inevitable?
 Can it be slowed by lifestyle and environmental changes?
 What role does nutrition play in aging?
 Can nutrition play a role in slowing aging?
 Diet as the magic bullet?

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/09/opinion/sunday/longevity-pritikin-atkins.html
Dr. Clive McCay
Roy Walford
Euell Gibbons
Adelle Davis
Nathan Pritikin
Dr. Robert Atkins
Slowing the Aging Process
• Aging is an inevitable,
natural process
• People can slow process
within natural limits set by
heredity
• By adopting healthy
lifestyle habits
• Nutrition can help improve
quality of life in aging
years
What are some healthy habits?
 What are some healthy habits?

 Healthy habits
 Following proper eating patterns
*Benefits of physical activity
 Maintaining healthy body weight Better weight control
 Regular physical activity* Greater flexibility and endurance
Better balance
 Not smoking
Better overall health
 Avoidance (or moderation) of alcohol intake Longer life
 Sleeping regularly and adequately
 Having a sense of purpose, relieving stress, and
belonging to a community
 Nutrition and Longevity Continued 6
Slowing the Aging Process
 Benefits of moderate energy restriction (80 to 90 percent of usual energy intake)

 Less body weight, body fat, and lower blood pressure

 Improved blood lipids and insulin response
 Reduction in oxidative changes
 Occurs with diets that include antioxidants and phytochemicals
 Nutrition and Longevity Continued 7
Nutrition and Disease Prevention
 Nutrition alone cannot ensure long, robust life

 Does have role in disease prevention

 Appropriate energy intake
 Helps prevent obesity, diabetes, related cardiovascular diseases
 May influence development of some cancers
 Adequacy of essential nutrients prevents deficiency diseases
 Nutrition and Longevity Continued 8
Nutrition and Disease Prevention
 Variety of food intake, and ample intakes of certain fruits and vegetables

may protect against certain cancers

 Moderate sugar intake
 Helps prevent dental caries
 Appropriate fiber intake
 Helps prevent disorders of GI tract and possibly colon cancer
 Nutrition and Longevity Continued 9
Nutrition and Disease Prevention
 Moderate sodium intake and adequate intake of potassium, calcium, and

other minerals may help prevent hypertension

 Adequate calcium intake throughout life helps protect against osteoporosis
 Slowing the Aging Process

https://www.aquagear.com https://goldage.com.au
empty cell Aerobic Strength Balance Flexibility

Start easy and Be active five minutes on Using 0- to 2-pound Hold onto table or chair with one Hold stretch for 10 seconds; do each
progress most or all days weights, do one set of 8-12 repetitions hand, then with one finger stretch three times

Table 13-1 Exercise guidelines

gradually twice a week

Frequency At least five days per week of moderate At least two (nonconsecutive) days per Two to three days each At least two days per week, preferably on

for older adults

activity or at least four days per week of week week all days that aerobic or strength activities
vigorous activity are performed

Intensitya Moderate, vigorous, or Moderate to high; 10 to 15 repetitions — Moderate

combination per exercise

Duration At least 30 minutes of 8 to 10 exercises involving — Stretch major muscle groups for 10-30
moderate activity in bouts of at least 1 0 the major muscle groups seconds, repeating each stretch three to
minutes each or at least 20 minutes of four times
continuous vigorous activity

Cautions and Stop if you are breathing so hard you Breathe out as you contract and in as Incorporate balance techniques with Stretch after strength and endurance
Pg. 394
comments can't talk or if you feel dizziness or chest you relax (do not hold your breath); strength exercises as you progress exercises for 20 minutes, three times a
a
On a 10-point scale, where sitting = 0 and maximum
pain effort =steady
use smooth, 10, moderate intensity = 5 to 6 and vigorous intensity = 7 to 8.
movements week; use slow, steady movements; bend
joints slightly
Note: Activity recommendations are in addition to routine activities of daily living (such as getting dressed, cooking, and grocery shopping) and moderate activities lasting less
than 10 minutes.

Source: C. E. Garber and coauthors. Quantity and quality of exercise for developing and maintaining cardiorespiratory, muscoskeletal, and neuromotor fitness in apparently
healthy adults: Guidance for prescribing exercise. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise 43 (2011): 1334-1359; W. J. Chodzko-Zajko and coauthors. Position Stand of
the American College of Sports Medicine: Exercise and physical activity for older adults, Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise 41 (20O9):151O-1530.

Debryne, Pinna 2020

Cataracts
Macular Degeneration
Osteoarthritis

http://teachmesurgery.com
Rheumatoid Arthritis
The Aging Brain

http://www.isagenixhealth.net/
Alzheimer’s Disease
Canadian Alzheimer Society states:
• 597,000 Canadians living with
dementia in 2020
• Projected to be 955,900 by 2030
• 61.8% dementia patients are women
• Annual cost to the Canadian
healthcare system is over $10.4 billion

Navigating the path forward for dementia in Canada: The

Landmark Study Report #1. Alzheimer Society of Canada. (2022).
Retrieved January 18, 2023, from
https://alzheimer.ca/en/research/reports-dementia/landmark-study-
report-1-path-forward

http://scitechconnect.elsevier.com
 Energy and Nutrient Needs

https://www.asccare.com/seniors-nutrition-eating-together-better/
Examples of Physical Changes of Aging that Affect Nutrition

Tooth loss, gum disease, and reduced salivary output impede chewing and
Mouth swallowing. Swallowing disorders and choking may become likely
Discomfort and pain associated with eating may reduce food intake
Intestines lose muscle strength, resulting in sluggish motility that leads to
constipation (see Chapter 18). Stomach inflammation, abnormal bacterial
Digestive tract growth, and greatly reduced acid output impair digestion and absorption.
Pain may cause food avoidance or reduced intake.

For example, the pancreas secretes less insulin and cells become less
Hormones responsive, causing abnormal glucose metabolism Pg.400
Diminished senses of smell and taste can reduce appetite; diminished sight
Sensory organs can make food shopping and preparation difficult.

Weight loss and decline in lean body mass lead to lowered energy
Body composition requirements. May be preventable or reversible through physical activity.

Increased frequency of urination may limit fluid intake.

Urinary tract
 Energy and Energy Nutrients

https://dailycaring.com/why-do-seniors-lose-their-appetites/
Effects of Drugs on Nutrients

http://extension.colostate.edu
Depression

https://www.insidehalton.com
Food Choices and Eating Habits of Older Adults Continued 8
Meals for Singles
 Singles of all ages face challenges in purchasing, storing and preparing

food
 Foodborne illness
 Risks greater than for other adults
 Consequences more severe
 Spend wisely
 Shopping strategies can cut food bills
 Purchase smaller amounts or portion and freeze larger packages
Food Choices and Eating Habits of Older Adults Continued
3
Meal Setting
TABLE 13- 6 Risk Factors for Malnutrition in Older Adults

© 2020 Cengage. All rights reserved.

These questions help determine the risk of malnutrition in older adults:
• Disease: Do you have an illness or condition that changes the types or amounts of foods you
eat?
• Eating poorly: Do you eat fewer than two meals a day? Do you eat fruits, vegetables, and milk
products daily?
• Tooth loss or mouth pain: Is it difficult or painful to eat?
• Economic hardship: Do you have enough money to buy the food you need?
• Reduced social contact: Do you eat alone most of the time?
• Multiple medications: Do you take three or more different prescribed or over-the-counter
medications daily?
• Involuntary weight loss or gain: Have you lost or gained 10 pounds or more in the last 6
months?
• Needs assistance: Are you physically able to shop, cook, and feed yourself?
• Elderly person: Are you older than 80?