Food & Nutrition for elderly

Healthy ageing

The Dutch are living longer. These days, average life expectancy is around eighty years. An agreeable prospect, particularly if it involves vitality and good health. Wageningen University & Research is studying how people can grow old healthily.

• Expertise Nutrition and ageing

Evidence-based product development

Senior citizens are an interesting target group for manufacturers, government bodies and information services. There are plenty of market opportunities and health benefits can be gained by preventing malnourishment in the elderly, for example. The main challenge for manufacturers, government bodies and information services is to design products that meet the specific needs and requirements of this target group, which include tackling loneliness, improving physical performance and producing nutritious food that also tastes good.

The nutritional status and exercise habits of elderly people living at home are monitored using E-health tools. This allows healthcare professionals to intervene at the first sign of malnourishment and inactivity. Cater with Care is developing and testing enriched foods that fit in with elderly people’s regular eating patterns and help to improve the health of the elderly and the sick.

Food choices and eating habits of the elderly

Wageningen Food & Biobased Research measures how much elderly people enjoy different foods, and how they fit into their daily routine. Our consumer research generates reliable information, which manufacturers can use to optimise products to suit the target group. Government bodies and social organisations can use the information to develop effective policy, for example on persuading elderly people to eat healthily.