Nutrition and Aging: Multidisciplinary Approaches to Address Nutritional Deficiencies and their Impact on Health Outcomes

As the global population ages, maintaining adequate nutrition becomes increasingly challenging for older adults. Many struggle to access and prepare nutritious meals due to financial limitations, lack of transportation, cognitive decline, or chronic illnesses that leave them homebound. Unlike younger generations, older adults have often not prioritized food ingredient awareness or dietary diversity throughout their lives, making it difficult to adapt to new nutritional recommendations. Poor nutrition among older adults is a significant public health concern, contributing to protein deficiencies that accelerate muscle loss, increase the risk of fractures, sarcopenia, premature tooth loss, and associated functional decline. These conditions further restrict dietary choices, increase hospitalizations, and result in greater dependence on feeding tubes and prolonged healthcare interventions. Addressing these challenges requires an interdisciplinary approach that integrates insights from nutrition, healthcare, and the social sciences to develop effective interventions focused on enhancing dietary habits, improving food accessibility, and mitigating the long-term health consequences of malnutrition in aging populations.

This Research Topic aims to explore innovative and interdisciplinary approaches to understanding and improving nutrition among older adults. We seek studies investigating the socioeconomic, cognitive, and physiological barriers to proper nutrition in aging populations. Research contributions may focus on social determinants such as financial constraints, transportation accessibility, and food insecurity, as well as the impact of dementia, memory loss, and other cognitive impairments on nutritional status.

Additionally, we encourage studies emphasizing the importance of tailored nutritional strategies to meet the unique needs of older adults, ultimately enhancing health span and quality of life. To foster a comprehensive discussion, we invite research incorporating diverse methodologies and perspectives, including epidemiological studies, nutritional interventions, Geographic Information Systems-based health services research, and bench science exploring metabolic and biochemical factors influencing aging. Contributions from disciplines such as childhood development, nursing, social work, physical therapy, computer science, and sports sciences are particularly welcome.

By highlighting effective nutritional strategies, technology-driven solutions, and policy interventions, this Research Topic aims to provide actionable insights that improve health outcomes and quality of life for aging populations worldwide.

We invite authors to submit their scientific contributions to deepen the understanding of nutrition and aging. Submissions may include narrative and systematic reviews, mini-reviews, original research articles, and clinical case studies on topics including, but not limited to:

• The impact of financial and social barriers on older adults’ nutrition
• Cognitive decline, memory loss, and their effects on dietary habits
• Protein deficiencies and associated health risks in aging populations
• Hospitalization, feeding tube dependency, and long-term nutritional care for the elderly
• Innovative interventions, including community-based programs and technology-driven solutions
• The role of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in identifying food deserts and accessibility issues
• Interdisciplinary approaches integrating health sciences, social sciences, and computational methods to address malnutrition in aging populations

This Research Topic aims to foster interdisciplinary collaboration and advance knowledge on how to optimize nutrition for aging populations. We look forward to contributions that will drive impactful research and inform practical solutions to improve the health and well-being of older adults globally.

Keywords: Nutritional Deficiencies, Aging Population, Interdisciplinary Approaches, Food Accessibility, Health Outcomes

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.