J Korean Soc Parenter Enter Nutr.
2013 Aug;5(2):42-49. 10.15747/jkspen.2013.5.2.42.
Aging and Nutrition
- Affiliations
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- 1Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, DMC Bundang Jesaeng Hospital, Seongnam, Korea. hbaik@dmc.or.kr
- KMID: 2190884
- DOI: http://doi.org/10.15747/jkspen.2013.5.2.42
Abstract
- Malnutrition is a common health problem in people older than 65 years. In older individuals, malnutrition is associated with poor clinical outcomes and even death. These individuals particularly are characterized by inadequate nutritional intake due to various factors such as medical disease, physical impairment, age-related physiological changes, and psychological and psychosocial issues. Furthermore, as the immune system ages, its function is compromised, and the aged person becomes more vulnerable to harm and disease. Nutrition plays an important role in maintaining the vigor of the immune system, because nutritional deficits and malnutrition can aggravate a diseased condition because of the weakened immune system. It is important to assess older individuals for malnutrition, particularly when weight loss or anorexia is observed. Nutritional status in older individuals is generally assessed with the revised mini-nutritional assessment short form, the malnutrition universal screening tool, and the nutritional risk screening 2002. A structured approach is essential for the management of unintended weight loss or malnutrition in older individuals. Studies have shown that oral nutritional supplementation, a well-established approach, can improve nutritional status and quality of life in older individuals. Pharmacological treatments, such as administration of megestrol acetate, dronabinol, testosterone, oxandrolone, and rh-growth hormone, require further investigation to assess whether they are fit for clinical application.
