Table of Contents

Introduction: What Is Nutritional Well-being for Older Adults?

The Science of Nutrition

Macronutrients
Micronutrients
Energy Balance

How Is Nutrition Different for Older vs. Younger Adults?
         Nutritional Needs Change with Age and Health Status
         Older Adults Choose Healthier Foods Than Younger Adults
         Many Older Adults Are Malnourished

Benefits of Making Changes in Nutrition and Food-related Practices

Changes in Consumption Patterns, Food Production and Recommendations in the Last 100 Years

Changes in Consumption Patterns and Food Production
         Saturated Fat Consumption Has Decreased
         We Are a Nation of Meat Eaters
         Soda vs. Milk
         Added Sugars and Fats Are Everywhere
         Processed Convenience Foods Have Become More Readily Available
         Portion Sizes Have Increased

Older Adults Receive Conflicting Messages About Nutrition
         Timeline: History of the US Department of Agriculture's (USDA)
                  Dietary Guidelines for Americans
         The Fad Diet Timeline

Change and Conflict in Recommendations

Contradictory Nutrition Research

What Nutrition-related Barriers Are Common to Older Adults?

Exploring the Barriers in an Elder's Whole Environment

         Barriers in the Physical Environment
         Barriers in the Social Environment
         Barriers in the Body's Environment Due to Health Status or Medical Condition
         Barriers Within Ourselves (Intrapersonal Environment)
         Barriers Due to Personal Economic Issues and Cost of Food
         Barriers Due to Legal Issues
         Barriers Affecting an Elder's Ability to Continue a Healthy Eating Plan

Finding Solutions to Barriers

         Brainstorming with the Older Adult
         Using Cognitive Restructuring
         Building on Factors That Enable Nutritious Eating
         Examples of Solutions to Barriers

The Influence of Culture on Nutrition and Food-related Practices

The Role of Food in Various Cultures
The Role of Elders in Food-related Cultural Traditions
The Effect of Acculturation

Resources

References