$100 million will augment state nutrition programs for seniors and promote healthy living

States have divvied up $100 million in federal funds to supplement nutrition programs at senior centers for those in independent living situations as well as those who receive food from programs such as Meals on Wheels.


The funding is designed to help seniors who face more limited diet choices as states and Nati

ve American tribes cut back on these community-based services.


States receiving the largest sums include Florida, which received $7.2 million, and New York which saw funding increases of $6.2 million.


The increase in funding for nutritious meals may help seniors lessen the effects of aging, as several recent studies point to the benefits of whole food nutrition.


Maintaining brain volume as one ages may be possible with the addition of more meat, fish and milk, which all contain Vitamin B12, according to an Oxford University study completed in 2008.


The possible advantages of seniors on a proper diet extend to all Americans: a study from Emory University found that overweight or obese elderly people have 6 to 17 percent more medical costs than their more healthy counterparts, potentially increasing Medicare costs by hundreds of billions of dollars.


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