"Of those 65 and older, the estimate is that more than 80 percent suffer from chronic diseases and conditions associated with malnutrition."

http://bangordailynews.com/2013/09/02/health/malnutrition-awareness-week-comes-at-the-end-of-september/?ref=HealthBox

Malnutrition Awareness week comes at the end of September

By Georgia Clark-Albert, Special to the BDN

Posted Sept. 02, 2013

"Of those 65 and older, the estimate is that more than 80 percent suffer from chronic diseases and conditions associated with malnutrition. Income plays a role in malnutrition. Nearly half of the nation’s low-income elderly have lost all of their natural teeth. Problems with chewing and swallowing can lead to malnutrition. Decreased physical activity and progressive depletion of lean body mass is associated with aging. This can lead a loss of muscle mass, known as sarcopenia. Older persons who are obese are at risk for sarcopenia because fat often replaces muscle mass which results in decreased functioning ability."