title: [Croatian guidelines for nutrition in the elderly, part I].
abstract: Aging produces numerous physical and physiologic changes, which in turn alter nutritional requirements and affect nutritional status. The presence of chronic disease, and/or medications can enhance potential disparities between nutrient needs and dietary intake, leading to malnutrition. Indeed, research suggests that malnutrition is a common condition among the elderly. Therefore, regular nutritional assessment should be done as an integral part of healthcare for elderly. Also, it is important to take in consideration all determinants of geroanthropometry. The physiologic changes associated with aging affect requirement for several essential nutrients. In general, the requirement for many nutrients decreases, concomitant with the decrease in energy needs. However, some nutrients are needed in higher amounts. Additionally, various psychosocial and socioeconomic changes that often attend aging may also alter dietary intake. Dietary planning is important part of nutritional care in the elderly. Also, some elderly persons can benefit with dietary supplements and oral nutritional supplements (enteral formulas) which can be prescribed by diagnosed or threatening malnutrition. Croatian guidelines for nutrition in the elderly have been developed by interdisciplinary expert group of Croatian clinicians, gerontologists, anthropologists, nutritionists and other professionals involved with care for elderly population. The guidelines are based on evidence from relevant medical literature and clinical experience of working group.
authors.affiliation: Hrvatskog drustvo za parenteralnu i enteralnu prehranu Hrvatskoga lijecnickog zbora.
authors.forename: Darija Vranesić
authors.initials: DV
authors.lastname: Bender
authors.forename: Zeljko
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Krznarić
authors.forename: Zeljko
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Reiner
authors.forename: Spomenka Tomek
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Roksandić
authors.forename: Zijad
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Duraković
authors.forename: Antoinette
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kaić-Rak
authors.forename: Nina Smolej
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Narancić
authors.forename: Jasna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bosnir
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D017523:Croatia; D006801:Humans; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D009751:Nutritional Requirements