Nutrition and the Elderly

Of particular interest in this research are nutritional requirements for elderly persons afflicted with high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, and diabetes. Diseases most frequently affecting the elderly population are heart and circulatory problems, cancers, diabetes, pneumonia, and arthritis (Sabin, 1993, pp. 97-114). The leading causes of death among this population group are the diseases of the heart and circulatory group which are associated with both elevated blood pressure levels and elevated cholesterol levels.

There is a general concern in the United States with respect to high levels of malnutrition among the elderly population segment (Cope, 1994, pp. 29-34). Malnutrition is considered to be a major risk for morbidity and mortality among elderly persons (Mion, McDowell, an

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994, p. 6). High levels of cholesterol are widely thought to be a function, in part, of individual diet and nutrition (Managing cardiovascular, 1994, p. 7). One valuable intervention in efforts to control cholesterol levels, and, in turn, the incidence of coronary heart disease, is widely held to be education in diet and nutrition (Managing cardiovascular, 1994, pp. 6-7). The goals in an intervention to lower cholesterol levels should include a total cholesterol level below 200mg/dL (Managing cardiovascular, 1994, pp. 6-7). Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels should be maintained at levels less than 130mg/dL, unless arteriosclerosis is present in an individual (Managing cardiovascular, 1994, pp. 6-7). When arteriosclerosis is present. LDL levels should be maintained below 100mg/dL (Managing cardiovascular, 1994, pp. 6-7). High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels should be maintained in excess of 45mg/dL (Managing cardiovascular, 1994, pp. 6-7). HDL is referred to frequently as the "good cholesterol" because higher levels of HDL typically lead to lower levels of both LDL and triglycerides (Cutting heart, 1994, p. 1). Triglyceride levels should be maintained at levels below 200mg/dL
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Approximate Word count = 2343
Approximate Pages = 9 (250 words per page)

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