Journal of nutrition in gerontology and geriatrics
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J Nutr Gerontol Geriatr · Jan 2015
ReviewSustaining Our Nation's Seniors through Federal Food and Nutrition Programs.
Food insecurity is a pressing issue in the United States where one in six people suffer from hunger. The older adult population faces unique challenges to receiving adequate nutrition. ⋯ As the older adult population continues to grow, it will be important to evaluate and improve these programs and the social policies related to them. This manuscript describes each policy in depth, considers economic and political elements that have shaped each policy, describes the level of program success, and offers suggestions for future research and program development.
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J Nutr Gerontol Geriatr · Jan 2014
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyCalorie restriction in overweight seniors: response of older adults to a dieting study: the CROSSROADS randomized controlled clinical trial.
We conducted a study designed to evaluate whether the benefits of intentional weight loss exceed the potential risks in a group of community-dwelling obese older adults who were at increased risk for cardiometabolic disease. The CROSSROADS trial used a prospective randomized controlled design to compare the effects of changes in diet composition alone or combined with weight loss with an exercise only control intervention on body composition and adipose tissue deposition (Specific Aim #1: To compare the effects of changes in diet composition alone or combined with weight loss with an exercise only control intervention on body composition, namely visceral adipose tissue), cardiometabolic disease risk (Specific Aim #2: To compare the effects of a change in diet composition alone or combined with weight loss with an exercise only control intervention on cardiometabolic disease risk), and functional status and quality of life (Specific Aim #3: To compare the effects of a change in diet composition alone or combined with weight loss with an exercise only control intervention on functional status and quality of life). ⋯ CROSSROADS utilized a lifestyle intervention approach consisting of exercise, dietary, and behavioral components. The development and implementation of the CROSSROADS protocol, including a description of the methodology, detailing specific elements of the lifestyle intervention, assurances of treatment fidelity, and participant retention; outcome measures and adverse event monitoring; as well as unique data management features of the trial results, are presented in this article.
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J Nutr Gerontol Geriatr · Jan 2013
Comparative StudyNutritional status and related factors in elderly nursing home residents: comparative cross-sectional study in migrants and native Germans.
Former guest workers in Germany who stayed on after retirement are now older than 70 years. Nursing homes (NH) are broadening their offer to meet specific requirements of this population. The nutritional status and related problems of the older ethnic minority group living in German NH has so far not been investigated. ⋯ Energy intake was low (6.4 ± 1.4, 6.8 ± 1.6 MJ/d). More than 50% of participants fell below recommended values for vitamin C, B1, B6, D, folate, calcium, and iron; 61% of the migrants had a low vitamin B12 intake. Migrant NH residents were more often undernourished than German NH residents.
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J Nutr Gerontol Geriatr · Jan 2013
Dietary habits moderate the association between heart failure and cognitive impairment.
Cognitive impairment is common in heart failure patients. Poor dietary habits are associated with reduced neurocognitive function in other medical populations, including diabetes and Alzheimer's disease. This study examined whether dietary habits help moderate the relationship between heart failure severity and cognitive function. ⋯ Follow-up analyses revealed consumption of foods high in sodium was associated with reduced cognitive function (p < 0.05). This study suggests dietary habits can moderate the association between heart failure and performance on tests of attention and executive function. Longitudinal studies are needed to confirm and clarify the mechanisms for our findings.