title: [Nutritional needs of the aged].
abstract: Increasing life-expectancy and the high prevalence of diseases in the elderly result in a rapidly growing number of people who are in need of help. There is overall agreement on the importance of nutrition in the care of old people and its influence on health and well-being. In contrast to the younger elderly, where overnutrition is still the main nutritional problem, undernutrition is quite common amongst the very old and ill. Physical and mental impairment, social and financial restriction affect food intake and nutritional status and are considered as risk factors for malnutrition. Food habits such as frequent use of tinned food, long cooking times or improper food storage promote the risk of nutritional deficiencies as well as the risk of bacterial contamination. Age- and nutrition-related changes in immune function lead to an increased susceptibility to infections in the elderly. Therefore special attention should be paid to the consumption of a variety of fresh foods with a high nutrient density and on careful food handling. Sufficient intake of fluid and fibre should also be emphasized.
authors.affiliation: Geriatrisches Zentrum Bethanien am Klinikum, Universität Heidelberg.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Volkert
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009747:Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D009751:Nutritional Requirements
vernacular_title: Anforderungen an die Ernährung alter Menschen.