Appetite is a complex thing. It’s an instinctive desire to eat powered by the brain, digestive system, hormones and sensory nerves. As those systems shift with age, the changes can naturally affect your hunger.
Approximately 15% to 30% of older people lose their appetite as they age (called anorexia of aging). If your lack of hunger comes on suddenly, persists or worsens, it could signal an underlying health concern. But for most people, medical intervention and lifestyle modifications can help restore appetite.
Why does appetite decrease with age?
As you get older, your lifestyle and your body’s systems can slow down or change. As a result, you may naturally require fewer calories.
However, it’s also possible that your body still needs those calories and nutrients, and something is interfering with your desire to eat. In that case, identifying the underlying problem and correcting it can help you get back on track with your diet and nutrition.
Possible causes of poor appetite in older adults include:
- Chronic disease: Age is a risk factor for many chronic diseases. Some chronic diseases, including heart disease, stroke, Parkinson’s disease, cancer and dementia, can affect your appetite, energy needs and weight.
- Digestive issues: As you get older, your digestion (gastric emptying) can slow down, making you feel fuller longer. You are also more likely to be constipated, which can make you not want to eat.
- Hormonal changes: Age-related changes to hormone levels and responsiveness can disrupt your body’s hunger signals. Hormones also contribute to sensory impairment and digestive issues.
- Medication: Older adults tend to take more prescription medications, and those drugs can interact with your body’s ability to absorb nutrients. They can also produce side effects that leave you without an appetite. Some medicines can alter your sense of taste and smell, making food less appetizing.
- Oral and dental problems: Mouth issues, such as tooth loss, ill-fitting dentures and dry mouth, can affect your ability to chew and swallow easily and without pain. As a result, eating may not be as appealing as it once was.
- Psychosocial issues: Mental health conditions such as depression are known to impair appetite. If you are feeling socially isolated and often take your meals alone, you may find less pleasure in eating.
- Sensory impairment: Hormonal changes can reduce your sense of sight, taste and smell. When that happens, you may not experience the sensations that trigger you to eat.
What to do if you notice a loss of appetite as you age
It’s important to identify or rule out medical issues affecting hunger. Some causes of poor appetite, such as oral conditions or medication side effects, may require medical intervention.
There are also steps you can take on your own to make food — and the idea of eating — more appealing. Strategies to help boost your appetite and your nutrient intake include:
- Be more active, which can naturally stimulate hunger
- Eat smaller meals more often throughout the day
- Enhance the flavor of your food using fresh ingredients, such as herbs and spices
- Maintain hydration since dehydration can impact hunger, but be careful not to drink a lot close to mealtime and fill up on fluids
- Make eating social by having meals with friends or at a nearby community center
- Mix up the menu to avoid monotony in your diet
- Prioritize whole foods to ensure the food you do eat is nutrient-dense
When to seek help about loss of appetite
A persistent lack of appetite can lead to weight loss, malnutrition, decreased muscle mass and increased frailty — all of which can increase your risk of falling, infection and health issues. Talk to your primary care physician if you have a noticeable decline in appetite, especially if it’s accompanied by weight loss and decreased energy.
Your health care provider can evaluate you for underlying conditions and review your medications. They can also connect you with resources to help with dietary and lifestyle changes. Getting the nutrients and fuel your body needs is the best way to ensure that you stay healthy and happy as you age.
