Healthy aging is about maintaining strength, function, independence and quality of life throughout later life – and nutrition plays an important role in supporting these goals. As people age, changes in appetite, muscle mass, health status and daily routines can make it harder to meet nutritional needs. Early awareness, routine screening, and individualized nutrition care can help identify risks and support timely intervention.
Aging brings natural physiological changes that can influence how people eat, absorb, and use nutrients. Appetite often decreases with age; changes in taste and smell, reduced hunger signals and earlier feelings of fullness can make it more difficult for older adults to consume enough energy and nutrients.1 Malnutrition/undernutrition occurs when older adults do not get enough energy, protein, and other nutrients to stay healthy and maintain their strength.
Alongside these biological changes, physical and functional limitations may affect food intake. Oral health problems, swallowing difficulties, mobility limitations, and challenges with meal preparation can all influence nutritional status. Cognitive changes, depression, loneliness and social isolation can further contribute to poor nutrition in older adults.1
The result is that many older adults face a growing gap between nutritional needs and nutritional intake, even when they continue to follow familiar eating habits.
Multiple causes for malnutrition among older adults
Inadequate nutrition in older adults often involves a combination of physiological, physical, mental, social and medical factors.1
Nutrition supports healthy aging by helping older adults maintain muscle health, physical function, independence, and quality of life.
Poor nutritional status in older adults is associated with physical and cognitive decline, reduced quality of life, longer hospital stays, increased complications and higher healthcare costs.1
Healthy aging requires more than managing disease. Routine nutritional screening can help identify risk early and support timely nutrition intervention. That is why the European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN) recommends routine screening, individualized nutrition care and early intervention for older adults at risk of nutritional decline.2
Nutritional needs vary widely between individuals. Some older adults remain active and independent, while others may be recovering from illness, living with chronic conditions or receiving long-term care.
Nutritional challenges may be particularly relevant for people experiencing:
Nutrition care for older adults should be preventive, individualized and comprehensive. Because no two individuals age in the same way, nutrition support should reflect each person's goals, preferences and health status.1
A comprehensive approach may include:
For some patients with specific medical needs, enteral or parenteral nutrition may also play a role as part of a broader individualized care plan.1
Fresenius Kabi provides medical nutrition solutions designed to help address the diverse nutritional needs of older adults across acute care, long-term care, and homecare settings.
Healthy aging is not defined solely by years lived, but by the ability to maintain health, mobility, independence and quality of life.
Nutrition is one of the most important modifiable factors supporting these goals. Understanding age-related nutritional changes, identifying nutritional risks early and taking an individualized approach to nutrition care can help older adults maintain strength and function throughout later life.
Nutrition supports muscle health, physical function, recovery, immune health, and overall quality of life. Nutritional needs often change with age, making medical nutrition care increasingly important.1
Aging can affect appetite, taste, smell, mobility, oral health, social engagement, and overall health. These factors often interact and may make it more difficult to meet nutritional requirements.1
Adequate energy and protein intake, together with physical activity, are important components of maintaining muscle mass and function in older adults.1
References
1. Cruz-Jentoft AJ, Volkert D. Malnutrition in Older Adults. N Engl J Med. 2025;392:2244-2255. https://www.nejm.org/doi/pdf/10.1056/NEJMra2412275.
2. Volkert D. et al. ESPEN guideline on clinical nutrition and hydration in geriatrics. Clinical Nutrition. 2018; 38, 10-47 https://www.espen.org/files/ESPEN-Guidelines/ESPEN_guideline_on_clincal_nutrition_and_hydration_in_geriatrics.pdf
