This infographic highlights the important role of nutrition in cognitive function as expanded on in the GSA publication, Insights & Implications in Gerontology: The Vital Role of Nutrition in Brain Health. The infographic highlights diets that are associated with improved cognition and decreased risk of dementia and how primary care providers can have conversations with their patients about the impact of diet and nutrition, which includes identifying and implementing strategies that benefit brain health and overall health and wellness.

Support provided by Haleon. 

This publication explores nutritional choices that have been shown to improve cognition and decrease the risk of cognitive impairment and dementia in older adults. Consumption of a healthful diet is a behavioral strategy that can help prevent the development of dementia as people age. It also reports on the roles of vitamins and minerals in nutrition and brain function. It focuses on how to implement person-centered conversations about the impact of diet and nutrition on overall wellness, including brain health. 

Support provided by Haleon.

In June 2024, the Gerontological Society of America (GSA) convened multidisciplinary leaders for a roundtable discussion on older adult nutrition, particularly the role of vitamins and minerals. This poster, presented during the 2024 GSA Annual Scientific Meeting, illustrates key findings from this roundtable discussion, including seven strategies to address barriers to quality obesity care for older adults. 

To explore issues that impact nutrition for older adults and strategies to address these issues, the Gerontological Society of America (GSA) convened a multidisciplinary expert roundtable discussion on June 18, 2024, in Washington, DC. Roundtable participants included researchers, clinicians, and policy leaders with expertise in geriatrics and nutrition. This report summarizes the discussion on topics related to older adult nutrition and how to improve it, including a review of factors that lead to nutritional deficiencies and inadequacies, existing interventions to improve older adult nutrition, strategies for assessing nutritional status, strategies to include nutrition in practice models for clinicians who care for older adults, clinician education and training, potential roles for multivitamin and mineral (MVM) supplementation in addressing nutritional needs for older adults, and how to educate older adults and their caregivers about dietary requirements and appropriate use of supplements. 

Support provided by Haleon.

Malnutrition is a prevalent, serious, and often unrecognized health threat for older adults in the United States. This publication highlights findings from a nationally representative survey to measure American consumer knowledge and perceptions about malnutrition in older adults.

Malnutrition is a growing concern, which many times goes undiagnosed, for many older adults. GSA is taking a lead in increasing awareness on this issue. This resource is a handout from a November 2015 presentation, Understanding Patient and Caregiver Perceptions of Malnutrition.

Did you know that obesity is not America’s only nutritional epidemic? A hidden epidemic of adult malnutrition cuts across all weight categories—from underweight to obese—and especially affects older adults. Fortunately, there are a range of possible policy interventions that can help mitigate the problem, enhancing the health and quality of life for older adults while simultaneously reducing healthcare costs. 

Support provided by Abbott.

This poster illustrates a theory based model for understanding interactive effects of personal and environmental factors that determine health behaviors. It also helps identify social and organizational leverage points for health promotion within organizations.

Good nutrition in older Americans is important to their health, independence, and well-being, according to preliminary results from a July 2015 online survey conducted among 1000 consumers, patients, and caregivers. Consumers, patients, and caregivers agreed that problems ranging from food cost to access to education about malnutrition keep older people from getting the proper nutrition they need. As part of this 2015's Malnutrition Awareness Week, GSA is participated in a Twitter chat with NCOA, the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, and the National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs. Patients and caregivers received these and other messages through posts on the social networking platform Twitter.

Part 1 of a monthly series from the GSA publication, "What We Know and Can Do about Malnutrition."