Changes during aging and their association with malnutrition

The aging process involves changes in physiological, pathological, social, and psychological conditions of a person. Nutrition is an important element of health among the elderly, and it affects the whole process of aging. The prevalence of malnutrition is increasing in this population and is associated with a decline in functional status, impaired muscle function, decreased bone mass, immune dysfunction, anemia, reduced cognitive function, poor wound healing, delayed recovery from surgery, higher hospital readmission rates, and mortality. Due to changing socioeconomic environment, elderly people are often left alone to fend for themselves to maintain their health, which may interfere with the maintenance of a good nutritional status. Regular diagnosis of malnutrition among older patients increases the need for more education regarding nutritional status in older patients, and the purpose of this article is to provide information with an educational overview of essential nutritional aspect associated with changes in aging. Copyright (C) 2015, Asia Pacific League of Clinical Gerontology & Geriatrics. Published by Elsevier Taiwan LLC.