Nutrition Scenario Among Elderly in India

Abstract

This chapter is an attempt to delve into the current scenario of elderly nutrition in India. With the global elderly population crossing the 10% mark in 2020 and expected to escalate to 16% by 2050, it becomes crucial to understand that the elderly is a vulnerable and heterogeneous group that reckons attention and concerted policy interventions. With all the policy focus on maternal and child nutrition, the nutritional requirements of the elderly population are often neglected and not catered to. Through this chapter, we argue that there is a considerable proportion of elderly in India who suffer from undernutrition and should, therefore, be a focus of policymaking initiatives. The ageing process manifests itself through changes in physical, and psycho-social conditions of a person. Being an important part of health of elderly, nutrition has a massive impact on the entire process of ageing. The proportion of elderly suffering from both undernutrition and overnutrition is increasing rapidly, both globally and in India and this leads to functional limitations, anaemia, hindered muscle function, reduced bone density, decreased cognitive function, issues with the immune system, dismal wound healing capacity, delayed recovery process, higher hospitalization rates, and death. Recent changes in family and kinship structure have resulted in elderly staying alone and taking care of themselves. This may prove to be detrimental for their nutritional status. Routine prognosis of the nutritional status among elderly necessitates the need for increased awareness about their nutrition and health, and, thus, this chapter aims to provide information with an educational overview of different facets related to nutrition and associated changes that occur with ageing.