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Nutrients
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Nutrition and Care Strategies to Promote Healthy Aging and Prevent...
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Nutrition and Care Strategies to Promote Healthy Aging and Prevent Chronic Diseases in Older Adults

A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Geriatric Nutrition".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 June 2026 | Viewed by 3906

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Naomi Cano-Ibáñez

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Granada, 18011 Granada, Spain
2. CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029 Madrid, Spain
3. Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Granada (ibs.GRANADA), 18012 Granada, Spain
Interests: systematic reviews; nutritional epidemiology; public health; healthy aging; maternal health
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Aurora Bueno-Cavanillas

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Granada, 18011 Granada, Spain
2. CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029 Madrid, Spain
3. Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Granada (ibs.GRANADA), 18012 Granada, Spain
Interests: research integrity; public health; healthy aging
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The global increase in life expectancy presents both opportunities and challenges for health systems, particularly in addressing the complex needs of the aging population. Nutrition and caregiving play pivotal roles in promoting healthy aging, preventing disease, and enhancing quality of life among older adults. Emerging research highlights the impact of dietary patterns, nutrient intake, and personalized care strategies on physical function, cognitive health, and resilience in later life. At the same time, population-level strategies, including community-based interventions and integrated models of care, are essential to reduce disparities and support sustainable aging in diverse settings. Understanding the interplay between nutritional status, social determinants, and access to care is becoming increasingly relevant as societies adapt to aging demographics. This Special Issue aims to bring together current evidence and innovative approaches at the intersection of nutrition science, caregiving, and public health. We welcome original research and systematic reviews that explore how nutritional interventions and caregiving models can optimize health outcomes, promote independence, and contribute to the design of effective health policies for aging populations.

Dr. Naomi Cano-Ibáñez
Dr. Aurora Bueno-Cavanillas
Guest Editors

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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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. Nutrients 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 2900 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

  • healthy aging
  • elderly
  • nutrition
  • caregiving
  • public health

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

17 pages, 376 KB  
Article
Participants’ Perspectives on Health Impact, Barriers and Facilitators to Adherence in a Mediterranean Diet Lifestyle Trial
by Paloma Massó Guijarro, María Durán-Luque, Claudia Rojas-Medina and Naomi Cano-Ibáñez
Nutrients 2026, 18(1), 63; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18010063 - 24 Dec 2025
Viewed by 739
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Interventions promoting the Mediterranean Diet (MedDiet) and healthy lifestyle behaviours are effective and cost-efficient in preventing non-communicable diseases (NCDs), yet sustaining adherence remains challenging. This study explored perceived health impacts on, barriers to, and facilitators of adherence among older Spanish adults [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Interventions promoting the Mediterranean Diet (MedDiet) and healthy lifestyle behaviours are effective and cost-efficient in preventing non-communicable diseases (NCDs), yet sustaining adherence remains challenging. This study explored perceived health impacts on, barriers to, and facilitators of adherence among older Spanish adults participating in a randomised clinical trial (RCT) based on the MedDiet and lifestyle interventions. Methods: A qualitative study was conducted with 17 Spanish participants (aged 60–81 years) with overweight/obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS). In-depth, semi-structured interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed through inductive thematic analysis with a gender-sensitive approach. Results: Participants identified several facilitators, including perceived improvements in vitality, psychological well-being, and physical performance, alongside enhanced nutritional literacy and confidence in orchestrating daily dietary practices. Women emphasised empowerment, autonomy, and the satisfaction of promoting family health. Main barriers included low motivation, disease burden, mobility restrictions, and limited partner support, with women particularly highlighting emotional and relational factors. A continuous, trust-based relationship with the research team acted as a strong external facilitator supporting long-term commitment. Conclusions: Perceived health gains, self-efficacy, social engagement, and research team support facilitated adherence, while low motivation, illness burden, and limited partner involvement hindered it. These findings highlight the importance of gender- and context-sensitive strategies to optimise adherence and the long-term effectiveness of Mediterranean lifestyle interventions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition and Care Strategies to Promote Healthy Aging and Prevent Chronic Diseases in Older Adults)
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14 pages, 897 KB  
Article
Role of Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis in Detecting Nutritional Disorders in Institutionalized Psychogeriatric Patients
by Beatriz de Mateo Silleras, Sara Barrera Ortega, Laura Carreño Enciso, Gema Gallego Herreros, Sandra de la Cruz Marcos and Paz Redondo del Río
Nutrients 2025, 17(24), 3839; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17243839 - 8 Dec 2025
Viewed by 635
Abstract
Background: Institutionalized older adults often experience cognitive and functional decline and altered body composition (BC), making nutritional assessment difficult. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) offers a simple and non-invasive method to evaluate BC; classic and specific bioelectrical impedance vector analysis do not require [...] Read more.
Background: Institutionalized older adults often experience cognitive and functional decline and altered body composition (BC), making nutritional assessment difficult. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) offers a simple and non-invasive method to evaluate BC; classic and specific bioelectrical impedance vector analysis do not require predictive models or assumptions about hydration status. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the utility of BIA, classic bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA), and specific BIVA (BIVA-Sp) in detecting nutritional and other related disorders in institutionalized psychogeriatric patients. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 95 institutionalized older adults (52 men, 43 women; mean age: 80 years). Clinical and functional data, including frailty, dependency, handgrip strength, and anthropometry, were collected. BC was assessed using BIA. Nutritional diagnoses included malnutrition (GLIM criteria), sarcopenia (EWGSOP2), adiposity, and sarcopenic obesity (SOGLI criteria). Mean impedance vectors and 95% confidence ellipses were generated for BIVA and BIVA-Sp. Individual vectors were compared with reference data from healthy older adults. Statistical analyses compared clinical variables and impedance vector distributions between groups. Results: Classic BIVA differentiated patients with sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity, while BIVA-Sp identified vector shifts associated with adiposity and sarcopenic obesity. Neither BIVA nor BIVA-Sp discriminated patients based on body mass index or malnutrition status. Conclusions: The application of BIVA in institutionalized psychogeriatric patients allows for easier, faster, and more effective detection of changes in BC and hydration status compared with conventional methods. This enables individualized monitoring and facilitates interventions that may reduce complications, functional decline, and hospitalizations, thereby improving their quality of life. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition and Care Strategies to Promote Healthy Aging and Prevent Chronic Diseases in Older Adults)
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21 pages, 291 KB  
Article
Loneliness, Food Practices, and Ageing: The Inclusion of Qualitative Evidence in Health Promotion Programmes
by Elena Freire Paz, Borja Rivero Jiménez, David Conde Caballero and Lorenzo Mariano Juárez
Nutrients 2025, 17(17), 2906; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17172906 - 8 Sep 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2088
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Social sciences have described the 21st century as the ‘era of loneliness’, a time marked by the subjective and often distressing experience of lacking meaningful social connections. While loneliness has been linked to poorer health outcomes, its relationship with dietary practices [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Social sciences have described the 21st century as the ‘era of loneliness’, a time marked by the subjective and often distressing experience of lacking meaningful social connections. While loneliness has been linked to poorer health outcomes, its relationship with dietary practices remains underexplored. Methods: This ethnographic study examines the impact of loneliness on the eating habits of older adults, based on fieldwork conducted in Galicia and Extremadura (Spain) between November 2024 and April 2025. Using semi-structured interviews (n = 25) and participant observation in domestic settings, we examined everyday food practices. Data were examined using thematic analysis. Results: Participants acknowledged the connection between diet and health, although their dietary practices often failed to meet nutritional recommendations. Loneliness and social isolation influenced food choices and cooking routines, often leading to less nutritious diets. These effects were shaped by gender and social class. Many participants associated the decline of shared meals and food-related sociability with a diminished quality of life. The absence of a meaningful companion was experienced as a profound loss, prompting various coping strategies. Conclusions: The findings highlight that food holds both nutritional and symbolic value. Health promotion strategies should address the social and emotional dimensions of eating. Loneliness disrupts food practices at multiple levels, calling for public health responses that integrate biological, cultural, and care perspectives. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition and Care Strategies to Promote Healthy Aging and Prevent Chronic Diseases in Older Adults)
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