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Nutritional challenges for older adults in Europe: current status and future directions
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Date
2019-01-30
Authors
Kehoe, Laura
Walton, Janette
Flynn, Albert
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Cambridge University Press on behalf of the Nutrition Society
Published Version
Abstract
Population ageing is rapidly progressing and it is estimated that by 2050 one in every five people globally will be aged 60 years or over. Research has shown that adequate nutritional status can positively impact the ageing process, resulting in improved quality of life and the prevention of chronic disease and mortality. However, due to physiological and social changes associated with ageing, older adults may be at increased risk of nutrient deficiencies. This review aims to investigate the nutrient intake and status of older adults in Europe and to explore the potential role of fortified foods and nutritional supplements in addressing some of the nutritional challenges identified in this population group. The available literature has highlighted unfavourable intakes of total and saturated fat, sugar, salt and dietary fibre together with low intakes and suboptimal status of key micronutrients such as vitamins D, B2, B12, folate and calcium. Evidence has shown that the consumption of fortified foods and use of nutritional supplements make significant contributions to intakes and status of these micronutrients in older adults. Continued monitoring of nutrient intake and status is important in light of changing fortification practices and food consumption patterns. Future strategies to address the nutritional issues identified in older adults could include the promotion of healthy food choices together with improvements of the food supply including reformulation (fat, sugar and salt), food fortification or supplementation to support successful ageing of our populations.
Description
Keywords
Nutrient adequacy , Diet quality , Older adults , Fortification , Supplementation , Adequate intake , Dietary folate equivalent , Dietary reference value , Estimated average requirement , European Food Safety Authority , Nordic Nutrition Recommendation , Population reference intake , Recommended intake , Reference nutrient intake , UK Department of Health , UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey , UK Scientific Committee on Nutrition
Citation
Kehoe, L., Walton, J. and Flynn, A. (2019) 'Nutritional challenges for older adults in Europe: current status and future directions', Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, pp. 1-13. doi:10.1017/S0029665118002744
Copyright
© 2019, the Authors. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of the Nutrition Society. Reprinted by permission of the publisher.