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Elderly Americans: Nutrition Information Is Limited and Guidelines Are Lacking

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Report Type Reports and Testimonies
Report Date July 30, 1992
Report No. T-PEMD-92-11
Subject
Summary:

Most agree that the elderly are at high risk for malnutrition. Yet the federal government's national nutrition surveys are limited in many ways. At a minimum, their scope must be widened to include more complete data on the elderly and their eating habits. Furthermore, no adequate guidelines exist describing the nutritional needs of the elderly. Available data on people over 50 suggest that the recommended dietary allowances for such individuals should not be based on age alone but rather on a combination of factors, including level of activity, presence of chronic disease, and general health status. Improved nutrition data and nutritional guidelines are needed before definite conclusions can be drawn about the actual nutritional status of the elderly.

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