The article points out that old adults living in nursing homes and others around the community are exposed to a high risk for malnutrition caused by such factors as isolation and depression. The article focuses on the validity of the existing assessment tools and the general effectiveness of various interventions in preventing starvation among adults. In this regard, the author defines malnutrition among adults as inadequate protein resulting in loss of fat and deterrence of growth. This lack is likely to interfere with the quality of adults’ life and increase mortality rates alongside general health costs. The article gives three significant categories of possible causes of malnutrition among adults: starvation, injury influenced, and chronic infection.
The article has established RDN to be the best health professional capable of providing nutrition therapy and related medical education. A controlled review in 2009 found that RDN personal care resulted in inadequate intake of required nutrients, enhanced nutrition, and weight gain. In simple terms, RDN in community settings helps treat and prevent adult malnutrition.
To prevent and treat adult malnutrition, some interventions are deemed necessary. These include:
- Oral nourishment;
- Nutrition education;
- Food enrichment and fortification;
- Intake of necessary supplements.
With the above intervention, the article needs to ensure systematic reviews are put into place to ensure proper nutrition assessment and required interventions. The practice is known to help ensure good nutrition practices among adults in both communities and health centers. To enhance the accessibility of health services, particularly in community settings, health systems have been trying the best and most appropriate approaches. The practice is guided by the fact that most adults in need of such facilities live in rural community settings. The exercise will help ensure accessibility among adults, resulting in an overall decrease in the cost of healthcare. The article also highlights significant roles played by a nutritionist in transforming theoretical nourishment into the solid solution necessary for healthy existence. In this regard, the author clarifies that RDNs are the most qualified experts to provide the required medical diet alongside other medical therapies.
The article provides the necessary information to researchers, policymakers, and practitioners on accessing and intervening on malnutrition among adults. The data is essential as it can be used as a guide to SRs in the future. The author also demonstrates that most old adults live separately in their community settings, hence increasing cases of malnutrition due to a lack of proper diet. In this regard, the article shows the extent to which most adults fail to recognize their health needs while others cannot meet their increased demands since they live in isolation. The author establishes that an estimated 16 percent of the world population by 2050 will be dominated by the elderly (Moloney & Jarrett, 2020). For this reason, there is a need to have proper and functional healthcare systems to help overcome expected high cases of malnutrition among adults in the future.
The article highlights significant causes of malnutrition among adults: depression, poor income, isolation, and physical changes. The author also helps in a proper understanding of malnutrition among adults as low protein intake results in low energy. The article further gives the possible risk effect of malnutrition revolving around high mortality, low quality of life, and increased healthcare costs. The author also offers major interventions required to overcome cases of malnutrition among old adults.
Reference
Moloney, L., & Jarrett, B. (2020). Nutrition Assessment and Interventions for the Prevention and Treatment of Malnutrition in Older Adults: An Evidence Analysis Center Scoping Review. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Web.