Malnutrition may be common among older adults

Up to one in six older adults living on their own may not be getting adequate nutrition, a study from Sweden suggests. Researchers found that among 579 adults ages 75 to 80 years, nearly 15 percent were at risk of malnutrition, based on their diet, weight and recent weight loss, and physical and mental well-being. Women were more likely to be undernourished than men; nearly 19 percent were at risk of malnutrition, compared with almost 11 percent of men. In addition, men and women who were depressed or described themselves as unhealthy were more likely than others to become at risk of malnutrition over the next two to four years, as reported in the Journal of Clinical Nursing.

Bonnie - this is a preventative issue which we have harped on for decades. Unfortunately, there has been little improvement. Even if adequate nourishment standards were met in older persons, it would greatly reduce health care costs.