Deck 18: Nutrition and Older Adults

Question 1

Older people do not benefit from exercise as much as younger people.

Answer 1

False

Question 2

Identify an age-associated physiological system change of the renal system that affects nutritional health.

A) increased arterial stiffening
B) reduced number of nephrons
C) increase in cortisol
D) reduced glucose tolerance
E) reduced work capacity

Answer 2

B

Question 3

During illness or with the use of medications, both older and younger individuals have equally reduced ability to detect salty, bitter, sour, sweet, and savory tastes.

Answer 3

False

Question 4

Diet contributes to reducing risk of disease and delaying death and also contributes to wellness.

Question 5

There is general agreement that taste and smell senses are generally robust until age 50, and then they begin to decline.

Question 6

Dietary guidance tends to focus on eating patterns and on disease risk reduction and quality of life enhancements.

Question 7

Magnesium toxicity can result from ingesting foods high in magnesium.

Question 8

More than anything, older adults want to _____.

A) remain independent and living in their own home
B) have positive relationships
C) never visit a medical doctor
D) avoid purchasing over-the-counter or prescription medicines, creams, or vitamin supplements
E) eat well

Question 9

Generously fortified breakfast cereals, "power" bars, and fortified beverages count as vitamin or mineral supplements.

Question 10

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests that longevity depends 51% on _____.

A) environmental factors
B) geographical factors
C) disease condition
D) lifestyle factors
E) genetics

Question 11

Body-composition changes associated with aging are irreversible.

Question 12

The functional status of an individual is a more indicative measure of health than chronological age.

Question 13

Identify an age-associated physiological system change of the endocrine system that affects nutritional health.

A) blunted thirst regulation
B) reduced work capacity
C) slower peristalsis
D) reduced glucose tolerance
E) increased arterial stiffening

Question 14

A supercentenarian is a person who has reached _____.

A) his or her expected life span
B) 100 years of age
C) age 110 or more
D) 99 years of age
E) age 75 or more

Question 15

Life expectancy has increased significantly since the 1900s. Today, life expectancy at birth in the United States is roughly_____.

A) 73 years
B) 79 years
C) 83 years
D) 89 years
E) 93 years

Question 16

Chronological age commonly serves as a proxy measure for predicting health status and functional abilities.

Question 17

What health habits do older adults believe they must maintain in order to avoid losing autonomy and independence?

A) no cigarettes and no alcohol
B) alcohol in moderation but no smoking or secondhand smoke
C) good nutrition and exercise
D) daily exercise and moderate alcohol intake
E) clean teeth and brisk walks

Question 18

Biological systems are very simple and can explain the mechanisms of aging with a single theory.

Question 19

A 65-year-old woman who takes several prescription medications wants to join a water fitness class for seniors. This woman should be seen by a doctor before beginning the exercise.

Question 20

What is glycosylation?

A) the binding of glucose to carbohydrates
B) the binding of glucose to proteins
C) the breaking down of glucose to simpler molecules
D) the digestion of glucose in the absence of oxygen
E) the synthesis of glucose in cells

Question 21

Which of the following statements explains the molecular clock theory?

A) Telomeres that cap the ends of chromosomes become shorter with each cell division, and their loss eventually stops the chromosomes from replicating.
B) Mistakes in the replication of cells or buildup of damaging byproducts from biological processes eventually destroys the organism.
C) The unstable oxygen formed normally during metabolism can damage cells by initiating reactions that break down cell membranes.
D) Fast-paced living shortens one's life span.
E) The genetic code directs cells to divide a certain number of times during their life span.

Question 22

Dietary recommendations for vitamin _____ are higher for older adults than for any other population group.

A) A
B) D
C) E
D) K
E) C

Question 23

On average, lean body mass decreases by _____ per decade from age 30 to 70.

A) 2-3%
B) 4-5%
C) 5-7%
D) 8-10%
E) 12-13%

Question 24

The 2015 Dietary Guidelines suggest that older adults should _____.

A) engage in muscle strengthening exercises each day
B) drink water when exercising
C) engage in an hour of aerobic activity each week
D) consume salt when exercising
E) cut back on protein immediately before and after exercising

Question 25

A decrease in physical activity and basal metabolic rate from early to late adulthood leads to an estimated decrease in daily energy needs by _____ calories per year.

A) 7-10
B) 12-15
C) 20-23
D) 25-28
E) 34-37

Question 26

It is difficult to meet vitamin and mineral needs via foods at caloric levels below _____.

A) 1600
B) 1800
C) 12000
D) 2200
E) 2400

Question 27

What is the recommended daily allowance of iron for a female?

A) 8 mg
B) 20 mg
C) 35 mg
D) 45 mg
E) 2 mg

Question 28

The human life span remains stable at approximately _____ years.

A) 95-101
B) 102-104
C) 105-110
D) 110-120
E) 120-125

Question 29

Vitamin D's main role is in the maintenance of blood _____ levels and in keeping bones strong and healthy.

A) zinc
B) sugar
C) iron
D) calcium
E) potassium

Question 30

Weight and body mass index (BMI) peak between _____ years.

A) 30 and 39
B) 40 and 49
C) 50 and 59
D) 60 and 69
E) 70 and 79

Question 31

Which food is a high-quality protein?

A) rice
B) oats
C) eggs
D) wheat
E) soy

Question 32

Older adults with a compromised _____ are particularly vulnerable to foodborne illness.

A) diet plan
B) circulatory system
C) immune status
D) metabolic system
E) lifestyle

Question 33

According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2015, what is the recommended calorie intake for a 60-year-old female?

A) 5000
B) 2450
C) 1600
D) 2100
E) 1000

Question 34

Theories of aging can be examined from two perspectives, one of which is the _____ theory.

A) natural selection
B) "wear and tear"
C) non-programmed aging
D) caloric restriction
E) genomic

Question 35

Saliva is a _____ secretion.

A) gastrointestinal
B) musculoskeletal
C) renal
D) sebaceous
E) nasal

Question 36

Genetics are thought to account for up to _____ of longevity.

A) two-third
B) one-fourth
C) one-third
D) one-half
E) one-fifth

Question 37

Of all the physiologic changes that occur during aging, the biggest effect on nutritional status and physical resilience is due to the shifts in the _____ system.

A) endocrine
B) musculoskeletal
C) gastrointestinal
D) nervous
E) renal

Question 38

Which term applies to the confluence of improved health and longevity?

A) demographic mortality
B) chronic resilience
C) health expectancy
D) demographic transition
E) world wellness

Question 39

Dietary fiber reduces the risk of coronary heart disease, but older adults are more often concerned with the role of fiber for _____.

A) decreasing the incidence of atherosclerosis
B) decreasing the incidence of type 2 diabetes
C) decreasing the risk of hypertension
D) gastrointestinal health
E) supplying essential nutrients

Question 40

Age-associated physiological system changes that affect nutritional health include _____.

A) reduced secretion of saliva
B) increased levels of estrogen and testosterone
C) enhanced appetite regulation
D) regulated breathing capacity
E) increased blood flow

Question 41

The prevalence of water-loss dehydration is estimated to be _____ percent in the older adult population.

A) 5-10
B) 10-20
C) 20-30
D) 30-40
E) 40-50

Question 42

Which field of study examines the interplay between genetics and nutrition?

A) applied genetics
B) programmed aging
C) nutritional genomics
D) chromosomal replication
E) Hayflick's theory

Question 43

At higher doses, vitamin _____ may increase all-cause mortality and is linked to longer blood-clotting times and tendency to hemorrhage.

A) B ₁₂
B) K
C) A
D) E
E) D

Question 44

On average, dietary intakes of older adults lack sufficient _____.

A) iron
B) selenium
C) beta-carotene
D) magnesium
E) vitamin C

Question 45

Healthy teeth are protected by a(n) _____ layer.

A) vitamin
B) fibrous
C) mucus
D) bacterial
E) enamel

Question 46

How can older adults improve the nutrient density of their carbohydrate intake?

A) by consuming vitamin B supplements
B) by consuming multivitamin supplements
C) by consuming fats
D) by consuming protein
E) by consuming fiber-rich food

Question 47

When height and weight cannot be measured, alternative calculations using the ulna, knee height, and _____ are suggested.

A) thigh circumference
B) mid-upper-arm circumference
C) waist circumference
D) waist-to-hip ratio
E) wrist circumference

Question 48

Older people benefit from physical activity even more than younger people do because _____ is the only way to maintain and build muscle mass.

A) muscle stretching
B) swimming
C) aerobic activity
D) cognitive performance
E) strength training

Question 49

Mrs. Brown is 61 years old, is 5′3″ tall, and has a medium frame. She is a physically active woman. She reports that she has lost 20 pounds in the last 6 months and now weighs 130 pounds. She complains of poor appetite. She eats 2 meals a day and is complaining that food has lost its taste, and when she eats, she feels something sticking in her throat, pain, and discomfort; she has ill-fitting dentures that she does not wear very often.  
Mrs. Brown is at risk of nutritional deficiency due to _____.

A) a high BMI
B) voluntary weight loss
C) problems with her dentures
D) a low BMI
E) restricted access to food

Question 50

Two substances that are better absorbed in synthetic or purified form are folic acid and vitamin _____.

A) A
B) E
C) K
D) D
E) B ₁₂

Question 51

The NSI DETERMINE checklist encompasses _____.

A) diseases that predominantly affect the elderly
B) warning signs of poor nutritional health
C) a list of community nutritional health programs and services
D) a list of private and public health care centers
E) warning signs of poor mental health arising from poor nutrition

Question 52

Macronutrient recommendations for adults aged 70-plus are _____.

A) 40-60% of energy from carbohydrates, 25-35% of energy from fats, and 10-35% of energy from proteins
B) 35-55% of energy from carbohydrates, 20-35% of energy from fats, and 10-35% of energy from proteins
C) 50-70% of energy from carbohydrates, 20-35% of energy from fats, and 10-35% of energy from proteins
D) 45-65% of energy from carbohydrates, 20-35% of energy from fats, and 10-35% of energy from proteins
E) 50-65% of energy from carbohydrates, 25-40% of energy from fats, and 10-35% of energy from proteins

Question 53

Mrs. Brown is 61 years old, is 5′3″ tall, and has a medium frame. She is a physically active woman. She reports that she has lost 20 pounds in the last 6 months and now weighs 130 pounds. She complains of poor appetite. She eats 2 meals a day and is complaining that food has lost its taste, and when she eats, she feels something sticking in her throat, pain, and discomfort; she has ill-fitting dentures that she does not wear very often.  
What could be a reason for her loss in taste?

A) fewer meals eaten
B) ill-fitting dentures
C) weight loss
D) hormones
E) throat pain

Question 54

What is the most common reason that vitamin B ₁₂ deficiency occurs in older adults?

A) Diets are frequently low in vitamin B ₁₂ since oral problems and financial difficulties limit meat intake and meats are the best dietary sources of B ₁₂ .
B) The elderly have an inefficient digestive system and slow metabolism.
C) Their diets primarily provide synthetic forms of vitamin B ₁₂ , which are less absorbable than the protein-bound form found naturally in foods.
D) The elderly have a higher incidence of bacterial overgrowth, which decreases the secretion of hydrochloric acid.
E) B ₁₂ supplements are expensive, and many older adults cannot afford them.

Question 55

Which of the following protein sources has the maximum true digestibility in humans?

A) rice
B) beans
C) corns
D) eggs
E) oats

Question 56

The "Blue Zone" communities of healthy old residents include _____.

A) New Zealand
B) Greenland
C) Iceland
D) Sardinia
E) Crete

Question 57

Mrs. Brown is 61 years old, is 5′3″ tall, and has a medium frame. She is a physically active woman. She reports that she has lost 20 pounds in the last 6 months and now weighs 130 pounds. She complains of poor appetite. She eats 2 meals a day and is complaining that food has lost its taste, and when she eats, she feels something sticking in her throat, pain, and discomfort; she has ill-fitting dentures that she does not wear very often.  
According to USDA food intake patterns, if Mrs. Brown maintains a 2000-calorie diet, how many cups of fruits should she consume every day?

A) 7 cups
B) 2 cups
C) 10 cups
D) 8 cups
E) 4 cups

Question 58

The first step in the MUST screening tool's five-step assessment of nutritional status is _____.

A) use height and weight measurement to calculate BMI
B) score unplanned weight loss
C) assign an acute disease effect score
D) sum scores to determine overall risk of malnutrition
E) use the score to plan management

Question 59

Title IIIC of the Older Americans Act is a community-based nutrition program that provides _____.

A) congregate and home-delivered meals
B) congregate nutritional supplements
C) home-delivered nutritional supplements
D) home-delivered groceries
E) congregate groceries

Question 60

Mrs. Brown is 61 years old, is 5′3″ tall, and has a medium frame. She is a physically active woman. She reports that she has lost 20 pounds in the last 6 months and now weighs 130 pounds. She complains of poor appetite. She eats 2 meals a day and is complaining that food has lost its taste, and when she eats, she feels something sticking in her throat, pain, and discomfort; she has ill-fitting dentures that she does not wear very often.  
Which of the following supplements is she most likely to take to improve her health?

A) fiber supplements
B) magnesium supplements
C) multivitamin supplements
D) zinc supplements
E) iron supplements

Question 62

What does the Nutrition Screening Initiative DETERMINE stand for, and how is it used?

Question 63

Discuss the five questions important to determine protein adequacy for an individual elderly adult. Identify the top protein sources.

Question 64

Explain wear-and-tear theories of aging.

Question 65

Caloric restriction in animals has been shown to _____.

A) promote age-related diseases
B) shorten life span
C) increase longevity
D) accelerate muscle loss
E) accelerate gray matter atrophy

Question 66

The term polypharmacy refers to the use of _____.

A) multiple counselors
B) multiple doctors
C) multiple medicines
D) over-the-counter drugs
E) prescription drugs

Question 67

Discuss the theories of aging and how caloric restriction may serve to prolong life.

Question 68

Identify the 4 Cs of nutrition education. Discuss how nutrition education is different from education in general and adaptations that can be made for older learners.

Question 69

Discuss the changes in thirst as people age. What have researchers found when studying older versus younger men, and what is the mechanism behind this change?

Question 70

Is weight gain with aging inevitable? Discuss ways to maintain lean body mass as one ages.