Ageing, Nutrition and Physical Activity

A special issue of Geriatrics (ISSN 2308-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Geriatric Nutrition".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 October 2019) | Viewed by 22923

Special Issue Editors

Institute of Applied Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences & Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, UK
Interests: health services research; dementia; cardiovascular diseases; healthy ageing
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Interests: geriatrics; falls; syncope; autonomic dysfunction; orthostatic intolerance

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

With the global increase in aging populations, a current and future key challenge is to improve health expectancy. It is well established that normal aging is associated with a loss of muscle mass (sarcopenia), with concomitant loss of muscle function and increased risk of falls, reduced ability to perform daily tasks and subsequent reduced quality of life. Therefore, a balanced and optimal protein–energy homeostasis is recognized as a major dietary-related determinant of healthy ageing. Current research suggests that both balanced diet and regular physical activity play key roles in maintenance of functional health and promotion of healthy ageing.

We are pleased to open the call for manuscript submission to Geriatrics focusing on these important issues in the areas of nutrition, physical activity and ageing.

Prof. Dr. Phyo Kyaw Myint
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Geriatrics is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Ageing
  • Nutrition
  • Diet
  • Physical activity
  • Exercise
  • Functional capability
  • Obesity

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Editorial

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4 pages, 192 KiB  
Editorial
Optimising Nutrition and Hydration in Care Homes—Getting It Right in Person Rather than in Policy
by Alison I. C. Donaldson, Alexandra M. Johnstone and Phyo K. Myint
Geriatrics 2019, 4(1), 1; https://doi.org/10.3390/geriatrics4010001 - 20 Dec 2018
Viewed by 5740
Abstract
The scoping review by Bunn et al. identifies an important, but often invisible, challenge of malnutrition and specifically sub-optimal hydration and nutrition in the care home environment. Those requiring residential care are generally the frailest members of society, and likely to be affected [...] Read more.
The scoping review by Bunn et al. identifies an important, but often invisible, challenge of malnutrition and specifically sub-optimal hydration and nutrition in the care home environment. Those requiring residential care are generally the frailest members of society, and likely to be affected by the anorexia of ageing: a multifactorial process whereby older people fail to adequately regulate food and nutrient intake resulting in unintentional weight loss. Adequate training of all healthcare professionals to recognise the risk of malnutrition at an early stage is fundamentally important, and the window of opportunity for intervention may be at a much earlier stage than admission to the care home. The specific needs of older adults must be considered in planning interventions with regard to the effects of ageing on physiology, digestion, and absorption of nutrients. Most importantly, we must offer person-centred care which offers residents an element of personal choice in whether or not they wish nutritional intervention, and any intervention offered must have the effect of improving quality of life rather than numbers on a scale. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ageing, Nutrition and Physical Activity)

Research

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17 pages, 428 KiB  
Article
Food Services Using Energy- and Protein-Fortified Meals to Assist Vulnerable Community-Residing Older Adults Meet Their Dietary Requirements and Maintain Good Health and Quality of Life: Findings from a Pilot Study
by Tony Arjuna, Michelle Miller, Tomoko Ueno, Renuka Visvanathan, Kylie Lange, Stijn Soenen, Ian Chapman and Natalie Luscombe-Marsh
Geriatrics 2018, 3(3), 60; https://doi.org/10.3390/geriatrics3030060 - 12 Sep 2018
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 5984
Abstract
The effects of “standard (STD)” vs. “protein- and energy-enriched (HEHP)” food-service meals on the nutrient intake, nutritional status, functional capacity, and wellbeing of older adults was investigated using a 12 week, double-blinded, parallel group design. All participants received dietetics counseling and either an [...] Read more.
The effects of “standard (STD)” vs. “protein- and energy-enriched (HEHP)” food-service meals on the nutrient intake, nutritional status, functional capacity, and wellbeing of older adults was investigated using a 12 week, double-blinded, parallel group design. All participants received dietetics counseling and either an STD (2.3 MJ and 30 g protein per meal) or a HEHP (4.6 MJ and 60 g protein) hot lunchtime meal for at least 3 days/week; those who did not want food-service meals were included in the control group (CON). Twenty-nine participants completed the study (STD = 7; HEHP = 12; CON = 10). From baseline to week 12, the HEHP subjects increased their mean daily energy intake from 6151 ± 376 kJ to 8228 ± 642 kJ (p = 0.002 for effect of time) and protein intake from 67 ± 4 g to 86 ± 8 g (p = 0.014 for effect of time). The MNA (Mini Nutritional Assessment) score was increased significantly in HEHP by 4.0 ± 1.1 points (p = 0.001), but not in the STD and CON groups (2.8 ± 2.1 points and 1.8 ± 1.1 points, p > 0.05). No difference was found for other clinical outcomes between the groups. The findings indicate that provision of HEHP-fortified food-service meals can increase energy and protein intake and improve the nutritional status of nutritionally at-risk older people. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ageing, Nutrition and Physical Activity)
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Review

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13 pages, 226 KiB  
Review
Dehydration and Malnutrition in Residential Care: Recommendations for Strategies for Improving Practice Derived from a Scoping Review of Existing Policies and Guidelines
by Diane Bunn, Lee Hooper and Ailsa Welch
Geriatrics 2018, 3(4), 77; https://doi.org/10.3390/geriatrics3040077 - 12 Nov 2018
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 10573
Abstract
Preventing malnutrition and dehydration in older care home residents is a complex task, with both conditions remaining prevalent, despite numerous guidelines spanning several decades. This policy-mapping scoping review used snowballing search methods to locate publicly-available policies, reports and best practice guidelines relating to [...] Read more.
Preventing malnutrition and dehydration in older care home residents is a complex task, with both conditions remaining prevalent, despite numerous guidelines spanning several decades. This policy-mapping scoping review used snowballing search methods to locate publicly-available policies, reports and best practice guidelines relating to hydration and nutrition in UK residential care homes, to describe the existing knowledge base and pinpoint gaps in practice, interpretation and further investigation. The findings were synthesised narratively to identify solutions. Strategies for improvements to nutritional and hydration care include the development of age and population-specific nutrient and fluid intake guidelines, statutory regulation, contractual obligations for commissioners, appropriate menu-planning, the implementation and auditing of care, acknowledgment of residents’ eating and drinking experiences, effective screening, monitoring and treatment and staff training. The considerable body of existing knowledge is failing to influence practice, relating to translational issues of implementing knowledge into care at the point of delivery, and this is where future research and actions should focus. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ageing, Nutrition and Physical Activity)
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