Oral Nutritional Supplementation Using Beverages for Older Adults
Older adults, defined as those over 65 years of age, are at high risk for malnutrition or undernutrition due to a number of well-known risk factors including changes in body composition, changes to the GI tract, diminished sensory function, fluid and electrolyte dysregulation, increases in chronic disease, use of medications, institutionalization, financial constraints, social isolation, and frailty [1]. The largest pooled analysis of malnutrition, with more than 6000 adults over 65 years of age worldwide, found that 22.8 % were malnourished with the highest proportions found in those in rehabilitation (50.5 %) and hospital settings (38.7 %). When subjects at risk of being malnourished were included with those who were malnourished, the combined number increased to 69 % for all older adults, 86 % for those hospitalized, and 91.7 % for those in rehabilitation [2].
