As we grow older nutrition and physical activity plays a significant role in how we function as we age.

My mother’s appetite became erratic as she grew older but significantly diminished toward the end of her life. Mostly, due to medication, cancer, and diminished movement.

I know for myself that physically I do not move around enough. I am beginning to see a pattern regarding my appetite and a rise in bowel problems. The less I do each day the less I want food.

Cracks to my eating and movement activities began to emerge while on a visit to a friend and a family member. I had a glimmer of how eating less and little movement affects my body.

While visiting we ate three meals a day versus home, we ate two meals a day and lead a sedentary life.  With more movement, eating scheduled meals, I felt more alert, and experienced more frequent bowel movements.

From my experience, I would say that both exercise and diet are important to our health as we age. But this was my opinion on the matter.

Now in my 76^th year I am experiencing a decline in my appetite. I do not know if this is a normal part of aging. I wanted to know so I checked it out.

The first answer to my query was an AI generated answer found on a Google search which says:

Both nutrition and exercise are crucial for healthy aging, and neither is definitively “more important” than the other. They are interconnected and work synergistically to promote overall well-being in older adults. A balanced approach incorporating both is ideal for maximizing health benefits.

Why both are important:

Nutrition:

A nutrient-rich diet provides the building blocks for maintaining muscle mass, bone density, and cognitive function, while also helping to prevent chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers. As people age, their nutritional needs may change, requiring more focus on specific nutrients like protein, calcium, vitamin D, and fiber.

Exercise:

Regular physical activity, including aerobics, muscle-strengthening, and balance exercises, helps maintain muscle mass and strength, improves cardiovascular health, enhances balance and coordination, and reduces the risk of falls and injuries. Exercise also plays a vital role in preventing and managing chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease.

Interconnections:

Exercise and muscle mass:

Adequate protein intake, along with resistance training, is essential for maintaining muscle mass, which is vital for strength and mobility. Exercise also helps improve the body’s ability to utilize nutrients for energy and muscle building.

Nutrition and bone health:

Calcium and vitamin D, obtained through diet, are crucial for maintaining bone density and preventing osteoporosis. Exercise, especially weight-bearing activities, further strengthens bones and reduces the risk of fractures.

Exercise and cognitive function:

Physical activity has been shown to improve cognitive function, including memory, attention, and executive function. Proper nutrition, including adequate intake of omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants, also supports brain health and cognitive function.

In conclusion:

While both nutrition and exercise are critical for healthy aging, neither can be considered more important than the other. A holistic approach that combines a nutrient-rich diet with regular physical activity is the most effective way to promote overall health and well-being in older adults.

Additional searches produced the following websites:

MI Express Care

What Contributes More to Healthy Aging: Exercise or Diet?

https://www.miexpresscare.com/blog/healthy-aging

This link has more detailed information than most want to read. I decided to include the link because it provided statistics that might be interesting to some.

American College of Clinical Pharmacy

Nutrition and Exercise in the Older Person

https://www.accp.com/docs/bookstore/psap/p7b07.sample03.pdf

So, in conclusion, both are important to elder health. Diet and exercise geared to the individual can be vital to them as they age.