Issues in Geriatric Nutrition

Another nutritionally vulnerable group is the institu-tionalized elderly, who often have multiple medical prob-lems, need assistance with feeding, have dementia, and need total care. It is not uncommon for these individuals to have inadequate dietary intakes and to experience weight loss and decreases in lean body mass. For those who are bed- or chair-bound, loss of lean body mass may be a significant consequence. Nutrient Needs One of the articles included in this issue by Marian and Sacks1 addresses micronutrient requirements of older adults and what is currently known about those require-ments. The role of nutrients in different aspects of health maintenance, healthy aging, and acute and chronic dis-ease management is still unfolding. One example of