Analysis of diet habits in seniors by means of the NutriDan programme

The Bachelor thesis deals with the topic of ``Analysis of diet habits in seniors by means of the NutriDan programme{\crqq}. Older age brings physiological modification in organism, physical activity decreases and modification of diet habits is necessary in the view of these factors. An individual should be aware of the fact that energy intake and output should be in balance. My thesis is aimed at examination of diet habits among seniors by means of the NutriDan programme. A person of 65 plus is considered a senior. The thesis is divided into a theoretical part and a practical part. The theoretical part includes information on diet principles in elderly age, factors affecting the diet condition, diseases related to food income and further information linked to diet and physical activity of seniors. The quantitative research method was used for the research part. Questionnaires were spread among seniors living in a rest home, seniors living in families with their children and seniors having their own households. The research part was compiled upon responses from 112 seniors who had filled in the questionnaires on their diet habits. 65 per cent of the research participants were women, 36 per cent were men. Two 24-hour foot and drink intake charts were included in the questionnaires, one for a weekday (Friday) and the other for a Sunday. The amounts of food taken, the drink intake and physical activity were entered into the charts. The evaluation of the charts has shown that the energy intake exceeds the recommended standard for 71 % of the seniors on a weekday and at a weekend this number increases to 77 %. 42 % of the respondents are overweight and 52 % think they eat right. The first goal was to find whether the food energy value corresponds to the age and physique of an individual. Hypothesis 1 is that the energy value corresponds to the age and physique of an individual. The second goal was whether seniors adhere to the drink intake. Hypothesis 2 is that seniors adhere to the drink intake. The third goal of the thesis was to find whether the proportion of fat, sugar and proteins corresponds to the age and physique of an individual. Hypothesis 3 is that the proportion of fat, sugar and proteins corresponds to the age and physique of an individual. The fourth goal of the thesis was to find whether the fat content in the food meets the recommended standard (