Nutrition and Healthy Functioning in the Developing World

Abstract

There is a general lack of data for studying the relationship between nutrition and healthy functioning among the elderly in developing countries. Nevertheless, knowledge of biological relationships from studies in other countries can be applied to gain an understanding of what can be expected in the developing world. In this respect, the concept of the nutrition transition is important. However, nutrition transition as related to elderly populations in developing countries has not yet been adequately studied. The developing world is not homogeneous with respect to patterns of nutritional status among the elderly, and problems of both under-and overnutrition exist among different populations of the elderly and both will be important factors for future functional status levels. In addition, there are many extrinsic factors (such as socioeconomic, political and cultural factors) in these countries that are even more important in determining nutritional status and its relation to function. Unless research and policy development in developing countries escalate and keep pace with the nutrition and demographic transitions in these countries, high levels of disability and dependency are likely in the near future.

Alone but better off? Adult child migration and health of elderly parents in Moldova

“…Mobility is affected significantly positively for men and the confidence regions for the 60-69 and 70-79 suggest that there may be a positive effect overall in both cohorts. In countries such as China (Zohoori, 2001) and Turkey (Bahat et al, 2012) the likelihood of an inability to perform any IADLs has been found to be negatively associated with BMIs. Such association could play a role here as well.…”

Nutritional status and self-reported and performance-based evaluation of physical function of elderly persons in rural Bangladesh

“…Poor diet is one of the factors linked to chronic diseases [10]. Persons with impaired function may have difficulties in carrying out activities of everyday life [11].…”

Nutritional status of the elderly attending public polyclinics in Benghazi city, Libya

“…Availability of money to purchase food is perhaps the most important factor affecting food intake in many retired elderly. [30][31][32][33][34] The self perceived adequacy of income to purchase nutritious food was associated with nutritional status of the elderly in this study. The increase in medical illnesses among the elderly, bring with it the need for prescription medications.…”

“…Drugs represent a significant expense for elderly and its purchase, may limit the amount of money available for food. 1,6,14,15,22,[31][32][33] Activity level was associated with the nutritional status of the subjects. Restricted mobility because of arthritis, shakiness or lack of coordination as a result of neurodegenerative changes can make food preparation, eating and/or cleaning up rather difficult tasks.…”