Abstract
DOI: 10.25248/REAS-S19_2017
INTRODUCTION: The average life expectancy is increasing, making population aging a reality. However, aging is not synonymous with a better quality of life, and nutrition is a factor that can contribute positively to improving the health of these individuals. OBJECTIVES: to identify the impacts caused by the physiological changes of the elderly, under food intake. METHODS: This work used as methodology the Integrated Literature Review. The search occurred in the online journals registered in the databases Lilacs, Scielo, Medline and Virtual Health Library, from 2012 to 2016. RESULTS: Brazilian elderly people started to have a more caloric-based diet, increasing the incidence of obesity And chronic diseases in this population. It was observed that there is a significant correlation between the eating habits of the elderly and anthropometric data of this population, an indication that the healthy body composition of the elderly depends on the eating habits. CONCLUSION: it is important to highlight the performance of the nutritionist in the prevention and maintenance of the adequate nutritional status of the elderly, since aging is more likely to develop chronic diseases.