Nutrition and physical activity in elderly people

Senior population has specific nutritional needs. Caloric intake and requirements decline with growing age, predominantly due to declines in basal metabolic rate, loss of muscle mass and lowering of energy expenditure. Adequate intake of some nutrients in the aim of health promotion and disease prevention among elderly is not possible to obtain by regular meals among elderly. Calcium, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, and potassium are of special concern. Older adults also have predisposition for supplemental intake of calcium, vitamin D and vitamin B12. Except nutrition, physical activity also has a beneficial role for seniors. Physical fitness, muscle strength, flexibility, balance are of great importance for mobility and functional status. Adequate nutrition and regular physical activity deserve special attention because they can synergistically help in reduction risk of many chronic conditions accompanying elderly, and potentially can increase life span. .