Malnutrition in older persons : underestimated, underdiagnosed and undertreated
Date
2017
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Medpharm Publications
Abstract
The right of older persons to enjoy optimal health and live in a dignified manner is protected in various international documents and national legislation.¹⁻⁴ The South African government embraced this obligation by embedding these socio-economic human rights in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa (1996).⁵ Cognisant of the poor socio-economic status of individuals from various vulnerable demographic groups, the South African government implemented a social protection system to improve access to food and provide for living expenses.⁶ It is possible that this grant system contributed to the reported decrease in food insecurity in the last decade,⁷ since social grants have been reported to contribute to 42% of the household income for poor families.⁸ Yet, single interventions such as cash transfers, on their own, are not adequate to ameliorate malnutrition amongst older persons and children.⁹
Description
CITATION: Marais, M. L. 2017. Malnutrition in older persons : underestimated, underdiagnosed and undertreated. South African Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 30(2):4-6.
The original publication is available at http://www.sajcn.co.za
The original publication is available at http://www.sajcn.co.za
Keywords
Older people -- Nutrition, Malnutrition in older people
Citation
Marais, M. L. 2017. Malnutrition in older persons : underestimated, underdiagnosed and undertreated. South African Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 30(2):4-6