As we age, chronic health problems such as heart and lung disease, cancer, high blood pressure, chronic pain, and depression can make it harder to maintain a healthy weight and avoid malnutrition. Medications may interfere with nutrient absorption, and physical or memory limitations can hinder shopping and cooking. These factors can lead to poor nutrition and unwanted weight changes.

Risk factors for poor nutrition include:

• Illness: Chronic conditions, surgery, or depression can reduce appetite and ability to eat well.
• Poor eating habits: Limited food variety, skipping meals, or low fruit, vegetable, and dairy intake.
• Alcohol use: Excessive drinking reduces appetite, nutrient absorption, and can impair thinking.
• Dental issues: Tooth loss, ill-fitting dentures, or mouth pain make eating difficult.
• Economic hardship: Tight budgets limit access to healthy foods.
• Social isolation: Eating alone reduces motivation to shop, cook, or eat well.
• Multiple medications: Some drugs interfere with appetite or nutrient absorption.
• Unplanned weight changes: Losing or gaining more than 4–5kg in six months may signal a problem.
• Physical limitations: Illness can make shopping and meal preparation difficult.
• Advanced age: Frailty and declining senses of taste and smell reduce interest in food.

If you have several of these risk factors and struggle to maintain weight, seek guidance from a doctor or dietitian.

Tips for improving nutrition:

• If appetite is low: Eat calmly, try small frequent meals, add variety, use seasonings, and exercise lightly.
• If you have mouth problems: See a dentist, choose soft foods, avoid irritants, and rinse often.
• If you eat alone: Create a pleasant setting, share meals with friends, or join community programs.
• If you take medications: Watch for appetite or weight changes, report side effects, and avoid excess alcohol.
• If you have physical limitations: Use meal services like Meals on Wheels, ask for delivery or family help, plan rest breaks, and use ready-to-eat options.

Boosting nutrients:

• Add protein: Use fortified milk, powdered milk in recipes, shakes, eggs, beans, poultry, fish, cheese, and nuts.
• Add calories: Enhance meals with grains, dried fruits, butter, cheese, honey, and nutrient-rich supplements.

Final Note

Maintaining a healthy weight supports better illness management, independence, and quality of life. Always consult a doctor or licensed dietitian before making dietary changes.

References

• Alliance for Aging Research (n.d.) Malnutrition in older adults. https://www.agingresearch.org-our-initiatives-malnutrition-in-older-adults
• BMC Geriatrics (2021) Ageing rate of older adults affects the factors associated with, and determinants of malnutrition. BMC Geriatrics, 21, Article 676. https://bmcgeriatr.biomedcentral.com-articles-10.1186-s12877-021-02583-2
• Cleveland Clinic (2023) Nutrition for older adults: why eating well matters as you age. https://health.clevelandclinic.org-how-to-age-better-by-eating-more-healthfully
• Harvard Health Publishing (2025) Malnutrition in older adults: strategies for addressing this common problem. https://www.health.harvard.edu-nutrition-malnutrition-in-older-adults-strategies-for-addressing-this-common-problem
• MedlinePlus (n.d.) Nutrition for older adults. https://medlineplus.gov-nutritionforolderadults.html
• National Council on Aging (2024) Diet & nutrition for older adults. https://www.ncoa.org-older-adults-health-diet-nutrition
• National Institute on Aging (n.d.) Healthy meal planning: tips for older adults. https://www.nia.nih.gov-health-healthy-eating-nutrition-and-diet-healthy-meal-planning-tips-older-adults
• Nutrition.gov (n.d.) Older adults – nutrition information. https://www.nutrition.gov-topics-nutrition-life-stage-older-adults
• The New England Journal of Medicine (2025) Malnutrition in older adults. https://www.nejm.org-doi-pdf-10.1056/NEJMra2412275
• UpToDate (n.d.) Geriatric nutrition: nutritional issues in older adults. https://www.uptodate.com-contents-geriatric-nutrition-nutritional-issues-in-older-adults

Disclaimer
The contents of this article is the intellectual property of Alula Health and does not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Alula. The information provided in the articles is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of diseases or other medical conditions. Although some content may be generated by AI (ChatGPT (Open AI), all articles are critically reviewed and approved by skilled human editors to ensure its accuracy, authenticity and validity.