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AUG 2017 FOOD FOCUS THAILAND
STRATEGIC
R & D
Good nutrition as part of a healthy lifestyle has a significant contribution in giving more life to years, particularly in
managing decline andminimizing loss of function. The vital role of nutrition in themaintenance of brain, eye and joint
healtharediscussedalongwithpotential strategies to reduce the riskof cognitivedecline, age-related lossof sight and
immobility.
NutritionalSolutions
forOptimizingtheGoldenYears
Itwill not takeanyonebysurprise that theworld’spopulation
isgettingolder–agingand its impactshavebeendominant topics
in the last fewyearsandcontinue tobewidelydiscussedbysome
of the biggest economies in theworld. Compared to the 1950s,
when205millionpersonsaged60oroverwere living throughout
the world, the number had tripled to 606 million
fiftyyears later.According toUnitedNations’
EconomicandSocialCommission forAsia
and thePacific (ESCAP),almost two-thirds
of the world’s older persons will be living
inAsia-Pacificby2050. It isalsoexpected
that theproportionof the “oldest-old” (those
above80yearsofage)will constitute18%
of older persons by 2050.
While there is virtually no
stoppingofthisglobalphenomenon,
there are increasing concerns
surrounding two critical areas
related to aging: mental decline
and physical immobility. In the golden years of life, maintaining
independenceandpreventingdisabilityare fundamental inensuring
good quality of life. In order to achieve this, functional capacity in
terms of sight, mental ability and physical mobility need to be
maintained.
TheAgingTransition
Aswegrowolder, changes inbody composition, organ functions as
well as mental and physical performance will occur in all of us. As
such, therewill beagreater focusonmaintaininghealthandahigher
awareness for products offering health benefits. With lower energy
requirements while concurrently having increased requirements for
some essential nutrients, the aging consumer will be looking for
nutrient dense food as a product choice. Nutrient density refers to
foods that have high levels of essential nutrients per food unit and
are therefore deemed high-quality foods. Smaller packaging sizes
as well as convenient and healthier single-serve meals will also
becomemore popular, reflecting the changing lifestyle of the aging
population.
