Elderly face malnutrition risk, agency report finds

A combination of inappropriate food intake, chronic disease and disability places a substantial number of older Irish people at high risk of malnutrition, a Food Safety Authority of Ireland report has found.

It underlines the need for a nutritional strategy for older people. In the report published on Tuesday, the FSAI calls for more research into the nutritional requirements of older people, including their lifestyle and eating habits. In 1996, 11.4 per cent of the population was over 65, but this will rise to 14.1 per cent by 2011, it notes.

The report, Recommendations for a National Food and Nutrition Policy for Older People, attempts to shift the focus from caring for the sick to looking after people who are well, "and keeping them well", said the FSAI chief executive, Dr Patrick Wall.

"Decisions about your health should be taken when you are well. We want to facilitate people in enjoying the later part of their lives," he added.

There are a number of at-risk groups among older people, according to Ms Sheena Rafferty, chairwoman of the FSAI working group on food and nutrition policy for older people which compiled the report. These included those with chronic illness, disability or poverty. "They need help from family, carers and health services to reduce the risks of poor nutrition."

Good health depends on safe, affordable and appropriate foods, the report says. Chronic geriatric diseases, physical disabilities and poverty are among the risks older people face.

The FSAI concludes that new food and health programmes for older people must be implemented. It also recommends dietary guidelines for health professionals, carers, dieticians, nutritionists and health promotion officers.

The report highlights how illness linked to inappropriate diet and unhealthy lifestyles features among the chronic diseases in the older population, notably cardiovascular diseases, cancers, diabetes, osteoporosis and constipation.

With the Irish population ageing to such an extent, more people needed to have optimum nutrition, said the Minister of State for Health, Dr Tom Moffat, who is responsible for food safety and older people. Proper nutrition would be vital for healthy ageing.

"Providing an adequate nutrient intake for older people becomes difficult once body weight and physical activity start to decline," he said.

But issues of access and support were equally important as, for example, the ability to shop could be limited by reduced mobility and lack of transport, Dr Moffat said. Care in the community had also led to more older people living independently.

He accepted the report's finding that more extensive, reliable information about older people's health-related attitudes and behaviours was required.

A consumer leaflet is available from the FSAI at (1890) 336677 while a copy of the full report (cost £5) is available from Government Publications Office, Molesworth St, Dublin 2, or from the Food Safety Information Centre, Abbey Court, Lower Abbey Street, Dublin 1. All publications can be ordered on-line at www.fsai.ie