As a person ages, it becomes both more important and more
difficult to meet essential nutrient needs. While there are several reasons
that seniors find it challenging to eat as much or as healthfully as when they
were younger, their protein, vitamin, and mineral needs don’t decrease—in fact,
some nutrient needs may even increase. Since it’s common for some key sources
of nutrients
to be labeled as “bad” or “unhealthy,” Joannie Dobbs and Alan
Titchenal, faculty in the Human Nutrition, Food and Animal Sciences department,
created the concept of a “Got Nutrients?” website that explores the “Intergenerational
Nutrition Essentials for Health” (www.gotnutrients.net), in collaboration with
the Honolulu Subarea Health Planning Council.
Rather than continue to label foods as “good” and “bad,” these two
certified nutrition specialists are working to bridge the nutrition knowledge
gap with a website that provides a daily nutrition tip (also emailed to
subscribers), with links to both consumer-oriented and research-based articles
that provide more in-depth information. The “Got Nutrients?” website has almost
five years of nutrition tips archived on the site and indexed by categories.
Now numbering over 1,830, the tips form a compendium of helpful
information delivered straight to those who need it. Recent tips describe how a
combination of lean protein and strength training can help older adults to
retain muscle mass, a common problem in aging, and explain that eating two or
more servings of oily fish per week can reduce the risk of stroke, a benefit
interestingly not realized from taking fish oil supplements. It’s simple
information, easy to use, and backed by scientific studies.
Twice a year, the two also contribute to the “Young at Heart”
column in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, dealing with health and lifestyle issues
for those over 55. The latest columns www.nutritionatc.hawaii.edu/YoungHeart/youngheart.htm)
have dealt with topics such as macular degeneration, how to purchase dietary
supplements, and the need for caregivers also to take care of themselves, lest
they experience burnout and health issues of their own. Because those of all
ages can stay young at heart, and Dr. Titchenal and Dr. Dobbs help show how it’s
done.
