Action days Eating well and healthily in old age” in the Steglitz-Zehlendorf district!

Action days Eating well and healthily in old age” in the Steglitz-Zehlendorf district!

The “Eating well and healthy in old age” campaign days will take place in the Steglitz-Zehlendorf district from October 6th to 17th, 2025. This event format aims to highlight the importance of a balanced diet for the physical and psychological well-being of older people. In a diverse program, participants are introduced to various tips and tricks on healthy eating, as well as the opportunity to cook and eat together. Almost all offers are free and aimed at the local senior community. District Councilor for Youth and Health, Carolina Böhm, emphasizes the importance of cooperation between different actors in this area, which enriches community projects and improves the quality of life of older people, as berlin.de reports.

The action days were initiated by the Health Working Group of the Round Table “Aging well in Steglitz-Zehlendorf”. Printed programs are available in libraries, town halls, adult education centers and from cooperation partners. For further information, Marion Mikula is available as a contact person, reachable at marion.mikula@ba-sz.berlin.de or by telephone at 90299 1261.

Important contributions from the older generation

Older people not only bring valuable life experience to society, but are also often affected by nutritional challenges. According to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Homeland (BMLEH), 68.2% of men over 65 and 56.3% of women in this age group are overweight or suffer from obesity. This indicates an urgent need for improvement in the quality of food in senior facilities and meals on wheels. It is therefore crucial to tailor future nutritional offerings more closely to the life and age phases of older people, as bmleh.de emphasizes.

A healthy weight and a balanced diet are therefore essential for quality of life in old age. Dietary habits in Germany show that both young and old people consume too much red meat and too few plant-based products. A plant-based diet can even reduce the risk of dementia. Malnutrition in people who already suffer from dementia is particularly worrying and should be avoided at all costs.

Nutritional strategies and prevention

The decrease in muscle mass and the increase in fat mass with age leads to an increased risk of loss of function and independence. Experts recommend that nutritional recommendations in this age group need to be tailored to the individual as needs can vary greatly. A high-protein diet of about 1.0 to 1.2 g/kg body weight is important for seniors, especially in sarcopenia. Restrictive diets should be avoided as they can be detrimental, as pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov explains.

Additionally, early detection and treatment of malnutrition is crucial. Regular weight checks can help detect malnutrition at an early stage, which can then enable measures to stabilize weight and ensure adequate nutritional intake. High-calorie and protein-rich foods are particularly important in order to cover nutrient requirements.

Overall, the upcoming action days in Steglitz-Zehlendorf not only show the relevance of healthy nutrition in old age, but also the commitment of various actors who are committed to improving the quality of life of older people. Further information about the events is available online.