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This page/column contains information which may be of interest to consumers. The information is based on articles which appear in Australian Prescriber. As Australian Prescriber is written for health professionals, you should discuss any issues raised by this page/column with your doctor or pharmacist. They will be able to give a more detailed answer to your questions by reading the main article.
Australian Prescriber is unable to comment on individual cases or give second opinions.
Australian Prescriber Vol. 24 No. 5 2001
Undernutrition in the community
A balanced diet is important to maintain good health. Although people's energy needs change as they get older, they can still get all the goodness they need from food. There is usually no need to take a lot of supplements unless you are on a very restricted diet.
Elderly people, especially those living alone, may not have a balanced diet. They may also have difficulty eating because of ill health or problems with chewing. If they are undernourished they are more likely to catch infections. Any older person who is unintentionally losing weight needs to be checked by their doctor.
Some problems are easily fixed, for example a new set of false teeth will help some people. Other problems need the help of a dietitian. While adults are encouraged to eat a low-fat diet, the elderly may not need to eat less fat as they need it for energy.
