The challenge of a sex-differential imbalance Women comprise the majority of the older population in virtually all countries, largely because globally women live longer than men. By 2025, the number of older women in Asia is projected to soar from the current 107 to 248 million, and in Africa from 13 to 33 million. This pattern involves its own special nutritional needs, emphases, and patterns of malnutrition, including for example the incidence of osteoporosis in older women. Osteoporosis and associated fractures are a major cause of illness, disability and death, and are a huge medical expense. It is estimated that the annual number of hip fractures worldwide will rise from 1.7 million in 1990 to around 6.3 million by 2050.
Women are at greater risk because their bone loss accelerates after menopause.
Prevention is possible with hormone therapy at menopause. Particularly important are adequate calcium intake and physical activity, especially in adolescence and young adulthood. Defining the specific nutritional needs of older persons Elderly people are particularly vulnerable to malnutrition. Moreover, attempts to provide them with adequate nutrition encounter many practical problems. First, their nutritional requirements are not well defined.