Lessons derived from studies in the elderly: the role of nutrition education in cardiovascular disease prevention

摘要

Based on statistics from the World Health Organization (WHO), the proportion of people over the age of 60 years is growing faster than any other age-group and, in many countries, it is the fastest growing segment of the population.¹ Moreover, the life expectancy of the world population has increased up to 67-70 years, while in industrialised societies this is approximately 80 years.² As a consequence of the aging of the population as well as of the worsening lifestyle behaviours, as discussed below, there is an increase in the prevalence and incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer.