Older adults are encouraged to increase their protein intake and engage in more physical activity to preserve muscle mass. However, since protein is considered the most satiating macronutrient, this advice might lead to a decrease in overall energy consumption. Physical activity is also recommended to older adults to enhance appetite, as it has been shown to help regulate appetite in younger adults, yet there is limited evidence to support this in older populations.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPoor diet and inadequate nutrient consumption are known to be causal in the development of chronic health conditions, many of which increase with age. Older adults also typically have reduced appetite and consequently are often not meeting dietary and nutrient requirements. The causes of reduced appetite are known to be multifactorial but mechanistically are not well understood.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose: Many cancer patients have problems eating which are usually connected to taste and smell alterations due to side effects of cancer treatment. These problems have consequences both in terms of malnutrition and reduced quality of life. In order to explore social and psychological consequences of eating problems in cancer patients, qualitative interviews were conducted with cancer patients, their caregivers and healthcare professionals.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFGlobally, we are currently facing a rapid demographic shift leading to an increase in the proportion of older adults within the population. This raises concerns about the potential increase in age-related diseases and their impact on our ability to provide adequate health and end-of-life care. To apply appropriate interventions, understanding the changes that happen with ageing becomes essential.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFResearch suggests that as we age, protein intake, recognised as vital for combating negative health outcomes, consistently falls below recommendations in older adults. Decreased food intake, combined with age-related eating complications is a major determinant of this protein undernutrition. If nutritional interventions are to be effective and sustainable, they must enable eating pleasure, cater for personal preferences and be adaptable to different eating patterns.
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