Health Watch is a Public Service of the Office of News and Publications and is intended to provide general information only and should not replace the advice of a medical professional. You should contact your physician if you have questions about any of these topics.
This week on Health Watch, we’re talking about health issues that affect senior adults. Because bodies change with age, what was good advice for a younger person may no longer be correct for an older person. Bernadette Latson, a registered dietitian at UT Southwestern Medical Center, says people who are older than 85 have specific health needs that call for reassessing the way they eat.
For instance, we know we shouldn’t eat too many eggs for fear of high cholesterol, but for very old people who have trouble chewing, shopping and cooking, eggs may be a good source of protein. They also keep a long time in the refrigerator and are easy to prepare and chew. While obesity is an issue among the general population, the oldest are more likely to be lose weight and muscle mass, so they may need to stop thinking about avoiding weight gain when they plan meals.
###
May 2007
Health Watch is heard Monday through Friday nationwide on ABC Satellite Radio. Call your local radio station and ask if they carry the program.
