All interventionsIn most regions over the past 50 years, socioeconomic development has been accompanied by large drops in fertility and equally dramatic rises in life expectancy. This phenomenon has led to rapidly ageing populations around the world.
Ageing is accompanied by physiological changes that can have a negative impact on nutritional status and intrinsic capacity*. After 60 years of age, there is a progressive decrease in body weight that results mainly from a decrease in fat-free mass and lean mass, and an increase in fat mass. Sensory impairments (a decreased sense of taste and smell, for example), poor oral health, isolation, loneliness and depression – individually or in combination – all increase the risk of undernutrition in older age. Older people who are affected by undernutrition and vitamin and mineral deficiencies are more vulnerable to infections and are at increased risk of poor health, including the development of sarcopenia and osteoporosis.
Current evidence suggests that oral supplemental nutrition** plus dietary advice may improve nutritional status in older people affected by undernutrition.
* Intrinsic capacity is defined by the WHO guideline as the combination of the individual’s physical and mental, including psychological, capacities
** Oral supplemental nutrition is defined by the WHO guideline as the provision of additional high-quality protein, calories and adequate amounts of vitamins and minerals tailored to the individual’s needs assessed by a trained health care professional.