Your risk of certain health problems increases as you age. It is important to have regular checkups by your doctor for:

• Heart disease
• Cancer
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Osteoporosis

Weight gain may still be a problem. Your kilojoule requirement is less, but your nutrient requirement is still high. Therefore, foods should be nutritious but lower in kilojoules (low fat).

Stay active to maintain muscles and joints.

• Keep drinking two or three serves of milk or high calcium alternatives daily
• Bowel problems can often occur now
• Have a high intake of fibre, and include plenty of wholemeal bread and wholegrain cereals, fruit and vegetables
• Drink plenty of water

Content updated March 01, 2004