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<BR>Home,Anses,News,Press room,Agenda,Our topics,Food,Animal health and nutrition,Environmental health,Occupational health,Plants,Opinions and publications,Last opinions and reports,Food opinions and reports,Animal health and nutrition opinions and reports,Environmental and occupational health opinions and reports,Plants opinions,Opinions and reports in English,Bulletins and periodicals,Other publications,Subscribe to Anses newsletter,Research and reference,Research program,Laboratories and reference activities, + ,Job opportunities,Public procurement contracts,Our websites,Partners,Extranet / ExpertNet,Kid's area,Legal notice,Contact, ,<BR>Elderly people do not always eat enough to meet their needs. Muscle loss, exhaustion, risks of falling, vulnerability to infectious diseases and aggravation of chronic diseases are just some of the direct consequences of undernourishment in frail or ailing elderly people. In France, this phenomenon apparently concerns some 400,000 people over 65 years of age living at home, and 20 to 30% of dependent elderly people either living at home or in a nursing home. The main known risk factors associated with undernourishment include anorexia, acute diseases, psychological stress and depression. <BR><BR>To overcome this major public health problem, Afssa has undertaken a documented assessment of the nutritional needs of elderly people (over 70 years of age) who are frail (a condition often associated with undernourishment) or suffering from certain diseases, so as to provide them with suitable nutritional management. By studying a large number of scientific publications on the subject, Afssa has been able to define the energy and protein intake levels needed to prevent or correct nutritional deficiencies in these individuals. Please note: the foods highest in protein are milk and dairy products, meat, eggs, fish and pulses.<BR><BR>The caloric and protein requirements of frail elderly people can be met by following the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) for elderly people in good health (36 kcal/kg/d and 1 g/kg/d of protein). However, in cases of undernourishment in frail elderly persons, Afssa recommends increasing these intakes (up to 40 kcal/kg/d and 1.5g/kg/d of protein) in accordance with build, physical activity and nutritional response to the diet. Lastly, in all cases physical exercise together with nutritional management is recognised as being beneficial to frail elderly people. <BR><BR>In undernourished elderly people suffering from Alzheimer's disease, bedsores, a femoral neck fracture or infections, higher caloric and protein intakes (30-40 kcal/kg/day and 1.2-1.5g/kg/day of protein) are justified. However, no clinical data justifies administering vitamin or mineral intake levels higher than the DRIs for elderly people.<BR><BR><BR><BR><BR>Find out more<BR><BR><BR>> Opinion of 9 January 2009 on the assessment of nutritional needs for frail elderly people and those suffering from certain pathologies, in order to establish nutritional references and provide appropriate nutritional support. <BR> <BR><BR>How to prevent or correct undernourishment in frail or ailing elderly people?<BR>17 April 2009<BR><BR>News<BR>Highlighted news,Archives,-,Archives of AFSSET news,Archives of AFSSA news,<A HREF='PM9100G4I0.htm'>Infos on News</A>
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Elderly people do not always eat enough to meet their needs. Muscle loss, exhaustion, risks of falling, vulnerability to infectious diseases and aggravation of chronic diseases are just some of the direct consequences of undernourishment in frail or ailing elderly people. In France, this phenomenon apparently concerns some 400,000 people over 65 years of age living at home, and 20 to 30% of dependent elderly people either living at home or in a nursing home. The main known risk factors associated with undernourishment include anorexia, acute diseases, psychological stress and depression.
To overcome this major public health problem, Afssa has undertaken a documented assessment of the nutritional needs of elderly people (over 70 years of age) who are frail (a condition often associated with undernourishment) or suffering from certain diseases, so as to provide them with suitable nutritional management. By studying a large number of scientific publications on the subject, Afssa has been able to define the energy and protein intake levels needed to prevent or correct nutritional deficiencies in these individuals. Please note: the foods highest in protein are milk and dairy products, meat, eggs, fish and pulses.
The caloric and protein requirements of frail elderly people can be met by following the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) for elderly people in good health (36 kcal/kg/d and 1 g/kg/d of protein). However, in cases of undernourishment in frail elderly persons, Afssa recommends increasing these intakes (up to 40 kcal/kg/d and 1.5g/kg/d of protein) in accordance with build, physical activity and nutritional response to the diet. Lastly, in all cases physical exercise together with nutritional management is recognised as being beneficial to frail elderly people.
In undernourished elderly people suffering from Alzheimer's disease, bedsores, a femoral neck fracture or infections, higher caloric and protein intakes (30-40 kcal/kg/day and 1.2-1.5g/kg/day of protein) are justified. However, no clinical data justifies administering vitamin or mineral intake levels higher than the DRIs for elderly people.
Find out more
> Opinion of 9 January 2009 on the assessment of nutritional needs for frail elderly people and those suffering from certain pathologies, in order to establish nutritional references and provide appropriate nutritional support.
How to prevent or correct undernourishment in frail or ailing elderly people? 17 April 2009
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