With ageing, dietary changes are common, often leading to weight loss and decreased food intake resulting in Hyporexia. It can be concerning when older adults begin to exhibit picky eating habits or lose their appetite, especially if they have medical conditions.

If you’re concerned about the food intake of one of your beloved older adults and notice they’re losing weight, this blog can help you understand if they have or may develop hyporexia.

Understanding Changes in Appetite 

Monitoring changes

Monitoring food intake changes closely is crucial as a decline in body condition can worsen existing medical conditions. Treatment options for addressing decreased appetite include physical examinations and appetite stimulants.

There are different ways to treat decreased appetite, which focus on both the causes and symptoms.

• Physical examinations play a pivotal role in identifying any medical conditions or factors contributing to the reduced appetite. Healthcare professionals can identify issues affecting appetite by conducting thorough assessments.

• Symptoms to Watch for:

1. Stomach problems
2. Hormone imbalances, or
3. Medication side effects

Identifying the root cause of loss of appetite is important for developing an effective treatment plan. By addressing these underlying issues, healthcare professionals can help improve their patients’ overall health and well-being.

Physiological Factors Affecting Appetite

• Hormones: Hormones such as ghrelin, leptin, and insulin play crucial roles in regulating appetite and metabolism. With age, alterations in hormone levels can occur, potentially affecting hunger and satiety signals. When levels of ghrelin, the hunger hormone, decrease, it can result in a reduced appetite. Similarly, alterations in insulin sensitivity can impact both glucose metabolism and appetite regulation.

• Perception: Aging can affect sensory perception, including taste and smell. As people get older, they might find that their sense of taste and smell decreases.This can lead to a less enjoyable eating experience and cause them to eat less food and develop hyporexia. The decline in sensory perception is linked to changes in taste buds and smell receptors. Also related to alterations in how the brain processes sensory information.

• The brain: Specifically the hypothalamus and brainstem, regulate our appetite and food intake. Age-related changes in neuroendocrine function and neurotransmitter systems can impact these regulatory pathways, leading to alterations in hunger and satiety signals. As we age, our brains undergo changes that can affect how we regulate our appetite. This includes differences in brain structure and function, like decreased gray matter volume and shifts in neurotransmitter levels.

Addressing Decreased Appetite

If physiological factors are primarily causing the decrease in appetite, one may consider appetite stimulants. These medications target brain chemicals that control hunger and fullness, making the elderly want to eat more. It’s important to think about the positive and negative aspects of these medications. This is especially crucial for older individuals or those with preexisting health conditions.

Beyond medication, modifications in lifestyle and dietary interventions can also play a significant role in stimulating appetite in old people. To improve their appetite, you can adjust meal times. You can also try serving smaller, more frequent meals. Another option is to add flavorful and nutrient-rich foods to make your meals more appealing.

Additionally, creating a friendly dining environment and encouraging social interaction while eating can improve the relationship with food. This can also lead to an increase in food intake.

Managing Medication Effects on Appetite

Strong medications, changes in smell and taste, or medical issues can cause loss of appetite. Being alone because of medical issues can also contribute to a decreased desire to eat. This can worsen the body’s condition and exacerbate current medical problems. Closely monitoring any changes is important.

Understanding Hyporexia

Hyporexia is characterized by reduced food intake. If left untreated, hyporexia can lead to malnutrition and further complications, particularly for individuals with conditions such as diabetes, gastritis, or hypertension. Addressing hyporexia and its consequences requires a multifaceted approach.

Treatment Options

One way to boost the energy content of foods is by adding ingredients like milk powder or broths in small amounts. Also, it is important to ensure that you serve the meals promptly. Additionally, offering a diverse menu with appealing flavors can help stimulate appetite, particularly for picky eaters.

Physical Examinations

Regular physical examinations can help identify any underlying issues contributing to decreased appetite and facilitate appropriate treatment interventions. Doctors may prescribe appetite stimulants in some cases to help combat anorexia and hyporexia.

Assessing Medical Conditions

Reducing energy intake in older individuals can cause weight loss and under-nutrition, especially in those who are predisposed. It is important to be aware of this potential outcome. Older individuals should be cautious when reducing their energy intake to avoid negative effects on their health.

As people age, their metabolism slows down. This can lead to hormonal fluctuations and a decreased appetite. Changes in taste and smell can also contribute to eating less. Eating fewer calories can lead to unintentional weight loss, which, if not addressed, can cause additional complications.

Identifying Contributing Factors

Pathological under-nutrition is when the body doesn’t get enough nutrients to stay healthy and work properly. Older individuals with preexisting health conditions, memory issues, or feelings of loneliness are at higher risk of becoming undernourished. Additionally, those who struggle to access healthy food may also face an increased likelihood of malnutrition.

Not eating enough can cause serious health problems for older adults, both physically and mentally. As we age, we may experience loss of muscle mass and a weaker immune system. This can lead to slower healing and an increased likelihood of getting sick. Additionally, some elderly can feel tired, and sad, and have difficulty thinking clearly.

Appetite Stimulants

It is important to address the decrease in energy intake. This will help prevent under-nutrition. This is necessary to promote the health and well-being of older individuals.

This may involve various interventions such

• Nutritional counseling,
• Meal planning,
• Supplements,
• Social support programs, and
• Medical treatment for underlying conditions.

These interventions can help address issues related to appetite decrease and nutrient absorption problems.

Promoting Health and Well-being

At CasaMar, we understand the importance of addressing the nutritional needs of our residents, especially seniors. In a study exploring the correlation between community participation and nutritional appetite, findings suggest that “community programs, such as shared group activities can improve appetite and social interaction among older people” (1). This is why we prioritize creating a sense of community around mealtime, and exercise activities as an important part of our caring approach. Our chefs and dining spaces are designed to facilitate socializing and to ensure our residents have a positive experience and atmosphere.

We also understand the significance of fostering a supportive environment where residents feel heard and valued. Our team is dedicated to creating a warm and inclusive community where every individual’s needs are met with compassion and respect. 

If you’re interested in experiencing the CasaMar difference firsthand for you or your loved one, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re here to provide personalized care and support tailored to each resident’s unique journey towards improved health and well-being.