title: Nutrition and aging: a consensus statement.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To consider the relationship between nutrition and aging. To summarize existing knowledge and identify areas of ignorance.
  
  
  METHODS
  Experts from a range of relevant disciplines received and considered a series of questions related to aspects of the topic.
  
  
  METHODS
  University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany.
  
  
  METHODS
  The experts met and discussed the questions and arrived at a consensus.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Many specific conclusions were drawn that support the general view that as we age an inadequate nutrition contributes to the loss of function and the development and progression of disease. Nutritional status is influenced by a range of medical, physiological, psychological, social and situational variables. Adequate nutrition and physical activity are aspects of a health-promoting lifestyle. The encouraging of better nutrition and the taking of exercise is a cost-effective way of decreasing the incidence and progression of age-related disease. The earlier such interventions are introduced the better.
authors.affiliation: Institut fur Biologische Chemie und Ernahrungswissenschaft, Universtat Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany.
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Bates
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Benton
authors.forename: H K
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Biesalski
authors.forename: H B
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Staehelin
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: van Staveren
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Stehle
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Suter
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wolfram
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control; D008903:Minerals / Q000008:administration & dosage; D009748:Nutrition Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D009752:Nutritional Status / Q000502:physiology; D011322:Primary Prevention; D014815:Vitamins / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D008903:Minerals; D014815:Vitamins