Both the number and proportion of older persons are growing in all countries; the
trends worldwide are likely to continue unabated. Issues in geriatric nutrition are
inextricably linked to broader issues facing the aging population. This chapter sets
the stage for this volume’s discussion of geriatric nutrition by providing an overview
of some of these broader issues facing the aging population.
There are 380 million people aged 65 years and above, and by the year 2020,
the over-65 population is projected to increase to more than 690 million.
1
The number
of persons aged 60 years or older is projected to grow to almost 2 billion by 2050.
2
For the first time in human history, the population of older persons will be larger
than the population of children (0 to 14 years).
2
This trend has been amplified by
fall in mortality and increased life expectancy. The increasing demands on national
health budgets and other resources are a matter of considerable future concern. The
oldest old (80+) make up 12% of the population aged 60 years or older. Table 1.1
depicts the percentage of population aged 60 years and older in selected countries.
In 2000, approximately 10% of world’s population was 60 years old or older.
This figure is expected to rise to 20% by 2050. This means that 400 million older
people will be living in the developed countries and over 1.5 billion in the less
developed world.
3
The demographic transition from predominantly young to predominantly middle-
aged or old populations is taking place, and this epidemiological transition is
changing the pattern of morbidity dominated by infectious diseases to chronic
diseases and disabilities. Many of the diseases suffered by older persons are a result
of dietary factors operating from infancy and physiological changes occurring with
the aging process.