Nutrition is closely related to health for all ages. A recent event at the Waxter Senior Center highlighted nutrition issues specific to older Baltimoreans.

Last Thursday, hundreds of seniors filled the first floor of the Waxter Center for the first-ever B’More Healthy Senior Nutrition Expo. During the event’s kickoff, Deputy Commissioner of Aging and CARE Services Heang Tan reminded visitors that it’s “important to eat healthy at any age.” Over forty vendors and farmers offered services from health screenings to meal demonstrations.

The event was a one-stop shop for nutrition information, with non-profit organizations, vendors, public agencies, and farmers providing screenings, services, and more. Many vendors and presenters focused on healthier diet alternatives, sometimes even handing out free samples. Prizes in the free raffle included fruit baskets and grocery gift cards donated by vendors. The first 200 attendees also received Butterball vouchers, which ran out within an hour and a half of doors opening.  Farmers selling vegetables provided a valuable opportunity for attendees to spend farmers’ market coupons provided to seniors.

During one presentation, Division Chief of Community Services Elouise Mayne asked seniors, “Instead of having a soda, what should we have?” Without hesitation, the crowd of seniors enthusiastically yelled, “Water!” 

Other programs ranged from chair aerobics to a talk on the Rethink Your Drink campaign, which encourages replacing sugar-sweetened beverages with healthier alternatives.  Community member Cinnamon Brown demonstrated various ways to exercise with hula hoops, in a lively session with plenty of audience participation. “I never thought about the other exercises with the hula hoop,” said senior Betty Wilson. She was excited to use her hula hoop at home more often and was thankful for the important conversations and access to fresh food at the expo.

Many vendors promoted specific nutrition changes, such as healthy portion-sizing, reducing sodium intake, and avoiding drinks with added sugar. These are changes are key to improving the health of our senior citizens. Calories from “solid fats, alcohol beverages, and added sugars” were higher than the recommended intake for Americans over 65, according to the latest report by the Federal Interagency Forum on Aging-Related Statistics.

Some also emphasized the relationship between nutrition and chronic disease. Nutrition is related to diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension, which are three of the top five most common conditions among older Americans, according to the U.S. Administration on Aging. Seniors also learned about ongoing opportunities provided by the Division of Aging and CARE Services, such as their nutrition program, congregate meals and home-delivered meals.

Attendees were eager to participate in what Division of Aging and CARE Service staff hope will become an annual event.