As a person ages, what needs to decrease?

As individuals age, one of the key changes that often occurs is a decrease in metabolic rate and physical activity levels. Consequently, this typically leads to a reduced need for caloric intake. Older adults may be less active, which means that their bodies require fewer calories to maintain weight and support bodily functions.

Additionally, as metabolism slows down, maintaining a proper balance to prevent unwanted weight gain becomes increasingly important. Therefore, adjusting caloric intake downwards while ensuring that nutritional needs are still met through a well-balanced diet is crucial for healthy aging.

This consideration is particularly important in managing weight and preventing conditions associated with obesity and excessive caloric consumption. While exercise, hydration, and protein intake are all essential for health, they do not necessarily need to decrease with age; in fact, maintaining physical activity and adequate hydration is crucial for overall health, and protein intake may even need to be increased to support muscle mass and strength as one gets older.