In the land of plenty, elderly malnutrition is rising in Singapore – and it’s not just about access to food
In the land of plenty, elderly malnutrition is rising in Singapore – and it’s not just about access to food
Singapore may be an affluent country with high healthcare spending, but this does not automatically translate into good nutritional outcomes for its population.
In a community study of adults aged 50 and up, 18 per cent were identified to be at risk of malnutrition. Another 2 per cent were malnourished.
For many seniors, eating alone dulls the appetite. As friends drift away and family visits lessen, social isolation quietly erodes the motivation to prepare and enjoy balanced meals.
Some avoid meat and eggs, believing they are unhealthy – unaware their ageing bodies need more protein, not less.
Physical decline – from reduced taste to swallowing difficulties – combined with reliance on cheap, carbohydrate-heavy meals, fills stomachs but leaves seniors undernourished.
