Too
much or too little of a nutrient can interfere with health and wellbeing. There
is a beneficial range of intake for any nutrient, to go below or above that
range is incompatible with optimal health. Thus, malnutrition (poor nutrition)
occurs when body cell receive too much or too little of one or more nutrient
(Lutz, 2007). Surveys have shown that inadequate diets, inevitably has a
detrimental effect on health status and quality of life (Baker, 2009).
much or too little of a nutrient can interfere with health and wellbeing. There
is a beneficial range of intake for any nutrient, to go below or above that
range is incompatible with optimal health. Thus, malnutrition (poor nutrition)
occurs when body cell receive too much or too little of one or more nutrient
(Lutz, 2007). Surveys have shown that inadequate diets, inevitably has a
detrimental effect on health status and quality of life (Baker, 2009).
Although
frank malnutrition has been largely eliminated from most section of our
population, it is still occasionally found amongst elderly. Malnutrition in the
older groups is brought about by economic circumstances and way of life, which
often occurs on retirement age and by the increasing incidence of disease and
disabilities that lead to nutrients occurring particularly during the eight
decades (Smith, 2008).
frank malnutrition has been largely eliminated from most section of our
population, it is still occasionally found amongst elderly. Malnutrition in the
older groups is brought about by economic circumstances and way of life, which
often occurs on retirement age and by the increasing incidence of disease and
disabilities that lead to nutrients occurring particularly during the eight
decades (Smith, 2008).
Malnutrition
in elderly people can be divided into two categories (Baker, 2009).
in elderly people can be divided into two categories (Baker, 2009).
General malnutrition: The diet contains inadequate supplies of several
nutrients. This is due to generalized self-neglect and can be caused by a wide
variety of circumstances such as illness, disability, depression bereavement.
nutrients. This is due to generalized self-neglect and can be caused by a wide
variety of circumstances such as illness, disability, depression bereavement.
Deficiency of a particular nutrient: This occurs when a particular food or group of
foods is excluded from the diet. For instance, iron deficiency in those with
poor teeth who avoid meat because it needs chewing or for whom its cost or
difficulty in preparation exclude it from the diet, low vitamin C intakes in
those who have very little fruits and vegetables in their diet because of cost.
foods is excluded from the diet. For instance, iron deficiency in those with
poor teeth who avoid meat because it needs chewing or for whom its cost or
difficulty in preparation exclude it from the diet, low vitamin C intakes in
those who have very little fruits and vegetables in their diet because of cost.