ABSTRACT
This chapter reviews a number of the findings regarding the nutritional status of older persons available in the social gerontology literature and explores the influences from a psychological viewpoint. It begins with a brief overview of the demographic profile of the elderly in America. The chapter reviews the economic and health factors relevant to eating behavior and any interventions which may be undertaken. It shows that some of the possible social factors influencing the nutritional status of older persons. The chapter focuses on more particularly on lifestyle as a mediator of nutritional intake. It discusses which have been taken to ensure or maintain nutritional adequacy. Age cohort differences in attitudes also become apparent in what can best be described as an ideology of independence. Feelings of loneliness and depression have been associated with isolation. The chronically depressed or senile geriatric patient frequently exhibits not only disturbances in eating, such as decreased food intake, but also decreased physical activity.
