1. Introduction

Improvements in public health and medical care are well acknowledged factors in the large improvements in infant and childhood mortality observed in the first half of the 20th century. Increased longevity in adults is also now increasingly common in the developed world. These demographic changes have resulted in increasing numbers and hence proportions of the adult population aged over the age of 60. The time when older people will outnumber younger people is rapidly approaching, it is estimated that by the year 2025 the number of people worldwide aged 60 and over will exceed 1.2 billion¹. This projected growth in the older population will create significant additional demands on healthcare and support services².

Diet and lifestyle, coupled with maintenance of a healthy body weight are important in the maintenance of health for all age groups but are crucial for healthy aging. Maintaining a good nutritional status has significant implications for health and wellbeing, delaying and reducing the risk of developing disease, maintaining functional independence and thus promoting continued independent living³.

While many older adults remain healthy and eat well, those in poorer health may experience difficulties in meeting their nutritional needs. Meeting the diet and nutrition needs of older people is crucial for the maintenance of health, functional independence and quality of life.

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2. Nutritional Needs and Changes with Advancing Years

Aging is accompanied by many changes that can make it more difficult for nutritional needs to be met. These changes have been categorised into broad categories of physical/physiological and psychosocial.

Figure 1. Factors which challenge nutritional status in older adults. Adapted from⁴.