Find information and resources that provide background and support for nutrition education efforts with older adults, including Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs), statistics, reports and guidelines, brochures, and online tools.
Nutrition for Older Adults
Tufts MyPlate for Older AdultsTufts University. Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy.
A modified MyPlate that emphasizes the nutritional needs of older adults.
Healthy AgingDHHS. CDC. National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.
Find information and links, statistics/research, publications, listserv and more.
Older Adults General Nutrition Resource List (PDF | 297 KB)
USDA. NAL. Food and Nutrition Information Center.
This publication is a collection of general nutrition resources for older adults. There are separate sections for consumer and professional resources. Contact information for organizations with resources on nutrition for older adults is also included.
Seniors and SNAPFood Research and Action Center.
Interactive web page containing information on issues surrounding senior nutrition (federal nutrition programs, etc.). The page includes links to other Web pages, facts sheets and resource materials.
Seniors Farmer's Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP)USDA. Food and Nutrition Service.
The SFMNP grants are used to provide coupons to low income seniors for eligible foods at farmers' markets, roadside stands, and community supported agriculture programs.
MyPlate for Older AdultsUniversity of Florida. Family, Youth and Community Sciences.
Handout, available in English and Spanish, includes options and suggestions that are consistent with the MyPlate guidelines and older adults' nutritional and physical activity needs.
Dietary Reference Intakes for Older AdultsNational Policy and Resource Center on Nutrition and Aging.
Tables include DRI values for men and women ages 51 to 70 and over 70. Also compares the nutrient availability of Title III and Title VI meals with nutrient levels required to meet Older Americans Act Nutrition Program (OAANP) requirements.
Eating Well as We Age (PDF | 556KB)
DHHS. Food and Drug Administration.
Handout addresses financial barriers to eating well, chewing issues, cooking issues, shopping, loss of appetite, upset stomach, and the Nutrition Facts panel.
Healthy Eating After 50DHHS. NIH. National Institute on Aging.
Addresses nutrition and feeding issues such as chewing problems and loss of taste, as well as food safety and money management issues.
The Graying of AmericaUSDA. ERS. Food Review.
A series of articles discuss food and older Americans. Specific issues addressed include: demographic characteristics, diet quality, food expenditures, food security, food assistance program use, and risk of foodborne disease. September 2002.
Nutrition and AgingColorado State University Cooperative Extension.
Fact sheet includes information on buying more for less, sensory changes, structural changes, special dietary needs, and food preparation for one.
Exercise and Physical Activity for Older AdultsDHHS. NIH. National Institute on Aging.
Interactive web site that discusses the benefits of exercise for older adults, safety, sample exercises and charting progress. Features pictures of active older adults, video clips, and quizzes. The "Frequently Asked Questions" section addresses nutrition and equipment needs.
To Your Health! Food Safety for Seniors
DHHS. FDA. Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition; USDA. Food Safety and Inspection Service.
Discusses foodborne illness prevention and issues specific to seniors. Topics include signs of foodborne illness, food safety at home and when eating out, and temperature and storage guidelines. Also in PDF (1.9MB) and in Spanish (PDF 669KB).
Healthy Aging: Helping People To Live Long and Productive Lives and Enjoy a Good Quality of LifeDHHS. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Addresses a variety of age-related concerns, including the health and economic effects of an aging society and opportunities to improve older Americans' health and quality of life. Also addresses CDC's role in promoting healthy aging and success stories. Report also available in Portable Document Format (PDF|794 KB).