SENIOR LISTENING Lisa Baxter, Aging Service Specialist Senior Nutrition — You Are What You Eat

There are numerous misconceptions surrounding malnutrition. What may come to mind when we think of malnutrition is third world countries, however what we may not realize is even overweight individuals can be malnourished. Malnutrition put simply is an imbalance, lack of or excess of nutrients that results in health problems.

According to the National Council on Aging (NCOA) malnutrition in our senior citizens is “hiding in plain sight.” It is estimated that between 20 to 30 percent of older adults are malnourished.

Yvette Phillips, Registered & Licensed Dietician, reminds us, “With aging our energy or calorie needs often decrease because of less activity and decreased lean body mass (less muscle). Even with this decrease in calorie needs nutrient requirements remai...