Malnutrition in the elderly and old age

Abstract

The prevalence of malnutrition in people over 60 is 10–40%. Inadequate nutrition worsens the quality of life and the functional status of patients in elderly and senile age. The development of eating disorders may be due to various factors. Diagnosis of malnutrition is aimed at identifying it and finding the causes. Treatment should be comprehensive, including adequate nutritional support and correction of factors leading to the development of malnutrition. It must be remembered that some eating disorders can cause the development or progression of various geriatric syndromes (falls, urinary incontinence, cognitive disorders, depression, etc.)