b) Healthy eating
Eating a balanced diet rich in calcium may
decrease the risk injuries resulting from falls in
older people.
Eating a healthy balanced diet is central to
healthy ageing. Adequate intake of protein,
calcium, essential vitamins and water are
essential for optimum health. If deficiencies
do exist, it is reasonable to expect that
weakness, poor fall recovery and increase
risk of injuries will ensure. Growing evidence
supports dietary calcium and vitamin
D intake improves bone mass among
persons with low bone density and that it
reduces the risk of osteoporosis and falling
(6). No dairy and fish consumption were associated
with a higher risk of falling. Older
persons with low dietary intake of calcium
and vitamin D may be at risk for falls and
therefore fractures resulting from them (7).
Use of excessive alcohol has been shown to
be a risk factor of falls. Consumption of 14
or more drinks per week is associated with
an increased risk of falls in older adults (7).