Malnutrition is a major public health issue in Australia, particularly for older Australians. Research shows around 50% of older Australians in aged care and in the community are either at risk of malnutrition, or are malnourished.

Often closely linked with malnutrition is sarcopenia, a condition characterised by an age-related loss of muscle mass and strength. Both conditions remain largely undiagnosed and untreated in older adults, despite available interventions.

In this episode, we speak with Dr. Sze-Yen Tan, and explore the growing issue of sarcopenia and malnutrition in older adults – including why it matters, what the latest research says, and how something as simple and accessible as nuts, may play a surprising role in improving outcomes.

Key take-outs:

• Sarcopenia and malnutrition are serious, growing issues.
• Nuts offer a simple, enjoyable, and effective strategy to help support healthier ageing.
• Healthcare providers, caregivers, and older adults themselves, should consider the role of small dietary changes, including nuts, to help mitigate malnutrition and sarcopenia.

Access episode webpage:

https://www.nutsforlife.com.au/resource/episode-55-from-crunch-to-strength-the-role-of-nuts-in-sarcopenia/

About today's guest

Dr. Sze-Yen Tan is an Advanced Accredited Practising Dietitian, and Senior Lecturer at Deakin University. Yen is also an active researcher at the Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN), where his research focuses on finding effective dietary strategies that maintain healthy weight, prevent chronic diseases, and promote healthy ageing.

Supporting resources

Nuts and older adults' health: A narrative review

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33672861/

Association of nut consumption and sarcopenia in Chinese older adults

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-02389-x

Nut intake, functional limitations, and quality of life in older adults: Findings from NHANES 2003-2012

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40741684/

Nut consumption and disability-free survival in community-dwelling older adults: A prospective cohort study

https://academic.oup.com/ageing/article/53/11/afae239/7901207

Effect of peanut butter supplementation on physical and cognitive functions in community-dwelling older adults: Study protocol for a 6-month randomised controlled trial

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11381714/

Sign up to NutENews

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn

Host: Belinda Neville

Contact us:

[email protected]