Protein Requirements in the Elderly

No abstract available for this article.     

Nutritional Requirements in the Elderly

Many gastrointestinal conditions that were previously treatable only by surgery can now be aggressively managed by endoscopy. Increasingly sophisticated instruments permit control of hemorrhage, obliteration of esophageal varices, polypectomy, and dilation of strictures. Integration with computer and ultrasound technology promises additional progress in diagnosis as well as in treatment.     

Sociodemographic Factors and Life-Styles Affecting Micronutrient Status in an Apparently Healthy Elderly Japanese Population

To define the effects of sociodemographic factors and life-styles on intakes and biochemical measures of iron, thiamine, riboflavin and ascorbic acid in healthy elderly Japanese, a survey was conducted on 190 subjects aged 65 to 80 years. Results of multivariate analyses of the data indicated that, independent of the other factors, smoking was significantly and negatively associated with ascorbic acid status and its intake (expressed as its concentration per unit of energy in diets). After controlling for the other factors, participation in a nutrition education program in the past was significantly and positively associated with intakes of thiamine, riboflavin and ascorbic acid. Biochemical measures of these three vitamins were also significantly better in the participants.     

Food Group and Micronutrient Intake Adequacy among Children,Adults and Elderly Women in Greece

The aim of the present study was to record the percentage of children, adults and elderly women in Greece meeting food and micronutrient intake recommendations. Additionally, the present study was aiming to identify the main food contributors of micronutrient intakes and assess the degree up to which meeting food intake recommendations also ensures micronutrient intake adequacy. Dietary intake data from three studies conducted in Greece (on 9–13-year-old children; 40–60-year-old adults; and 50–75-year-old women) were used to estimate mean intakes, the percentages of subjects meeting food and nutrient intake recommendations and the contribution of six core food groups to nutrient intake adequacy. The present study showed that more than 50% of children, adults and elderly women were failing to consume the recommended portions of vegetables, dairy and grains. Furthermore, children and adults consuming the recommended portions of individual core food groups had significantly lower percentages of inadequate micronutrient intakes compared to their counterparts not meeting food intake recommendations (p < 0.05). Nevertheless, even among those consuming the recommended portions from a specific core food group, the recommended intake of the corresponding micronutrient (for which this food group is the main contributor) was not always met. Indicatively, 18.2%–44.1% and 4.2%–7.0% of the populations under study were not meeting calcium and vitamin C intake recommendations, although they were consuming the recommended portions of dairy and fruits, respectively. In conclusion, these findings highlight the importance for public health policy makers to take all necessary initiatives to support the population in achieving the recommended intakes from all core food groups, but also emphasize on food variety to ensure adequate intake for all micronutrients.     

Micronutrient deficiencies

Summary. Objective: The aim of this study was to consider the risk of micronutrient deficiencies and approaches for intervention, and to summarize existing knowledge and identify areas of ignorance. Design: Experts from a range of relevant disciplines received and considered a series of questions related to aspects of the topic. Intervention: The experts met and discussed the questions and arrived at a consensus. Conclusion: Though healthy balanced diet is available for the general European population, a few defined groups are at risk of micronutrient deficiencies. In addition, the intake of specific micronutrients such as iron, folic acid, vitamin D and vitamin B12 are often marginal. To overcome these deficiencies, either selected micronutrients or a mixture of different micronutrients might be recommended. However, to define and detect micronutrient deficiencies, specific biomarkers are only available for a few micronutrients (e. g. vitamin D, folic acid, vitamin C, iron). The definition of a risk group, based on scientific data, might be an appropriate way to justify intervention with supplements.     

2010～2012年浙江省不同经济地区老年人膳食主要微量营养素摄入状况分析

<正>目前我国正处于经济转型和人口老龄化加速的重要时期,截至2015年末,中国大陆60周岁及以上老年人口超过2.2亿,占总人口的16.1%[1]。老年人的健康状况已引起政府和社会的高度关注和重视。膳食营养状况直接关系到人群的健康状况[2]。不同经济地区居民获得食物与营养知识的程度不同,其食物和营养素的摄入量亦不同[3],所以城市和经济发展落后的农村相比,     

Prevalence of Micronutrient Malnutrition Worldwide

Recent estimates indicate that globally over two billion people are at risk for vitamin A, iodine, and/or iron deficiency, in spite of recent efforts in the prevention and control of these deficiencies. The prevalence is especially high in Southeast Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, and pregnant women and young children are at greatest risk. Other micronutrient deficiencies of public health concern include zinc, folate, and the B vitamins. However, there is limited data on the actual prevalence of these deficiencies. Finally, in many settings, more than one micronutrient deficiency exists, suggesting the need for simple approaches that evaluate and address multiple micronutrient malnutrition.     

Micronutrient needs of malnourished children

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: In addition to overt manifestations of undernutrition such as stunting, wasting and underweight, micronutrient deficiencies are also recognized as important components of the spectrum of malnutrition. This review focuses on recent advances in our understanding of undernutrition and micronutrient deficiencies during childhood from a review of the literature over the last 18 months (August 2006-January 2008). RECENT FINDINGS: There is considerable advance in our understanding of the epidemiology and burden of childhood undernutrition and micronutrient deficiencies. Based on recent surveys, an estimated 32% (178 million) of children under 5 years of age were stunted. The corresponding global estimate of wasting is 10% (55 million children), of which 3.5% (19 million children) are severely wasted. It is estimated that nearly 11% of all children under 5 years of age, die due to four micronutrient deficiencies (vitamin A, zinc, iron and iodine). There is evidence from recent reviews of evidence-based interventions that administering single or multiple micronutrients can make a significant difference to health outcomes. However, delivery strategies may differ and recent data suggest that fortification may be a more efficient strategy to deliver multiple micronutrients. SUMMARY: These findings support the scaling up of evidence-based interventions to prevent and treat such deficiencies and to integrate these within health systems.     

沈阳市社区老年人健康状况及卫生服务需求调查

目的了解沈阳市社区老年人的健康状况及卫生服务需求。方法对505名60岁以上的老年人进行问卷调查，包括老年人的生活与居住情况，日常生活活动能力，慢性病患病情况，卫生服务需求等。结果被调查者中日常生活活动能力下降者为10．9％，功能明显障碍者为14．5％；慢性病的患病率为75．2％；有54．2％的老年人需要1项或1项以上的社区卫生服务项目，其中定期体检占36．1％，健康教育为25．3％。结论针对该社区老年人的健康状况，加强社区健康教育、医疗、预防、保健是做好社区老年卫生服务的重要措施。     

Micronutrient status in diabetes mellitus

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder, which can alter the nutritional status of the individual. Some micronutrients, in particular zinc and chromium, have been implicated in the pathogenesis of carbohydrate intolerance. This review evaluates the available published data on the status of 10 mineral elements and seven vitamins in diabetic patients and experimental animal models of diabetes. The role of these micronutrients in insulin secretion and carbohydrate metabolism is discussed in an attempt to determine whether the reported alterations in serum or tissue content of minerals or vitamins contribute to the carbohydrate intolerance of diabetic patients. It is concluded that both Type I and Type II diabetes mellitus can result in changes in certain micronutrients. However, adequately controlled studies to establish the role of trace elements in the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus are not available.     

Micronutrient deficiencies after bariatric surgery

It has been estimated that approximately 220,000 people with morbid obesity underwent bariatric surgery in 2008. Modification of the gastrointestinal tract affects absorption and health care professionals counseling bariatric patients need to be aware of possible micronutrient deficiencies and their symptoms. A systematic review of several databases and bariatric surgery center websites on the Internet was conducted from January 1980 to July 2009 to identify literature related to micronutrient deficiencies occurring after bariatric surgery. Keywords used individually or in combination were bariatric surgery, obesity, vitamin/mineral deficiencies, altered gastrointestinal function, nutrient absorption, nutrient supplementation, and metabolic complications, and were variously combined in the search list. Based on this review, all patients scheduled for bariatric surgery should receive daily multivitamin and multitrace mineral supplements. The literature suggests that bariatric surgery patients are at risk for deficiency of the following nutrients after surgery: vitamins B₁₂, B₁, C, folate, A, D, and K, along with the trace minerals iron, selenium, zinc, and copper. Over-the-counter multivitamin and mineral supplements do not provide adequate amounts of certain nutrients such as vitamin B₁₂, iron, or fat-soluble vitamins and patients will require additional doses of prophylactic supplementation life-long to maintain optimal micronutrient status. In addition, preconception care for adequate prenatal supplementation is critical for pregnant women who have undergone bariatric surgery, as iron, vitamin A, vitamin B₁₂, vitamin K, and folate deficiencies are associated with maternal and fetal complications, including severe anemia, congenital abnormalities, low birth weight, and failure to thrive. All bariatric surgery patients would be best served by receiving regular monitoring of serum nutrient levels starting at 3 mo after surgery and periodically thereafter.