Fatores que afetam o consumo alimentar dos idosos

Abstract

The increase in theelderlypopulation, their characteristicsand their healthproblemsmake itnecessary toseektounderstandthefactorsaffecting the feedinghabitsof thisagegroup. Among the factors that determine the qualityof lifeandlongevityof thehumanbeing,nutritionisamajorone.Several anatomical andfunctionalchangesresultingfromtheagingprocessaswellas majordiseasesassociatedwitholdage,canbealleviatedwithadequatefoodin theirdietaryandnutritional aspects. Inthiscontext, it isbecomingincreasingly clear thatweneed tounderstand thechanges that occur inagingandother factorsaffectingfoodconsumptionof theelderly, toassist intheirfood.Andthus compensate for these changes are natural, with advancing age, but that interferewithappetiteandchangingfoodhabitsof theelderly.Thefactorsthat influenceeatinghabits inoldageare: physiological changesofagingOwna socioeconomic situationandhowPsychological. Thispaper aims tomakea comprehensive review of these factors, trying to elucidate the nutritional conditions of the Brazilian elderly. Understanding these factors by health professionals broadens the understanding of the peculiar conditions that determinethenutritional statusof theelderlyandthatshouldbeworkedinan interactiveway, formaintenanceor restorationofnormalweightandwellbeing of the elderly.