Undernutrition and anorexia in the older person

Abstract

Minimizing frailty in older age is important to individuals and society, as the increasing prevalence of chronic disease is leading to greater disability and health care costs. Nutritional frailty can be defined as the disability that occurs in old age due to rapid, unintentional loss of body weight and sarcopenia (lack of lean mass). This article provides a brief overview of the prevalence and consequences of undernutrition, age-related changes to appetite, food intake, and body composition, the factors contributing to the development of anorexia and undernutrition, and recommended management strategies.