Nutritional challenges in older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic

• Autor(a) principal: CEOLIN, Gilciane
• Data de Publicação: 2022
• Outros Autores: Dubois MOREIRA, Júlia, Cunha MENDES, Bruna, SCHROEDER, Jaqueline, Faria DI PIETRO, Patricia, Kurrle RIEGER, Debora
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: eng
• Título da fonte: Revista de Nutrição
• Texto Completo: https://periodicos.puc-campinas.edu.br/nutricao/article/view/6311
• topic: Aged; Coronavirus infection; Nutrition; Pandemics

It has been documented that the older adults of the population are at the greatest risk of mortality due to the coronavirus disease; consequently, they could be the population most affected by the measures of social isolation and reduction of virus contagion implemented worldwide. Social isolation can expose older adults to an increased nutritional risk due to factors such as socioeconomic insecurity, which could affect food acquisition and the need for support in daily tasks and meals. The institutionalized older adults often depend on food donations, which may have reduced due the economic crisis caused by the pandemic, and the aging process itself causes changes in nutritional necessities and eating habits. In the coronavirus pandemic, nutritionists and dietitians can offer remote nutritional follow-up. Moreover, the government actions, such as the implementation of educational and social service programs, should be applied to support healthy aging and minimize exposure to nutritional risks and coronavirus disease.