A nutritionist must report the absolute and relative change in fiber recommendation for a man moving from 20-year-old RDA to older-adult RDA (38 g → 30 g). Provide the absolute change, percent change, and the correct physiological rationale.

• A. Absolute decrease 2 g; percent decrease ≈ 5%; rationale: fiber requirement drops minimally due to slowed intestinal motility.
• B. No change in fiber requirement; rationale: fiber needs are independent of caloric intake and therefore remain constant across ages.
• C. Absolute increase 8 g; percent increase ≈ 21.1%; rationale: older adults need more fiber because they eat less and need bulk to fill the stomach.
• D. Absolute decrease 8 g; percent decrease ≈ 21.1%; rationale: fiber needs fall because total caloric intake declines with age.

Answer: (D)