Anorexia of aging as a risk factor for weight loss in older humans

Abstract

Editorial

Even a decade ago, there was compelling evidence that, as older individuals age, a decline in caloric intake is observed, with as many as one in five subjects aged 60 years and over consuming less than 1000 calories per day. Those from ethnic minority backgrounds or nursing homes were particularly at risk of malnutrition. In many cases, this decline can be confidently attributed to the presence of disease and co-morbidities such as chronic illness (for example, chronic pulmonary lung disease) with results in weight loss. Other factors such as decreased resting metabolic rate, reduced physical activity, threshold alterations in taste-bud activity or lowering of smell acuity, provide background inhibitory influences on nutritional intake.