Abstract
(1) Background: Appetite loss in older people, the ‘Anorexia of Aging’ (AA), is common, associated with under-nutrition, sarcopenia, and frailty and yet receives little attention. This review had two aims: describe interventions for AA and their effectiveness, and identify the methods of appetite assessment. (2) Methods: Study inclusion: participants aged ≥65, intervention for AA, and appetite assessment, any design, and comparator. Exclusion: studies on specific health cohorts. Searches in four databases with hand searching of references and citing works. Two researchers independently assessed eligibility and quality. (3) Results: Authors screened 8729 titles, 46 full texts. Eighteen articles were included describing nine intervention types: education (n = 1), exercise (n = 1), flavor enhancement (n = 2), increased meal variety (n = 1), mealtime assistance (n = 1), fortified food (n = 1), oral nutritional supplement (ONS) (n = 8), amino acids (n = 1), and medication (n = 2). Three studies evaluated combinations: education + exercise, ONS + exercise, and ONS + medication. Five intervention types exhibited favorable effects on appetite but in single datasets or not replicated. Appetite was assessed predominantly by Likert (n = 9), or visual analogue scales (n = 7). (4) Conclusions: A variety of interventions and methods of appetite assessments were used. There was a lack of clarity about whether AA or undernutrition was the intervention target. AA is important for future research but needs standardized assessment so that effectiveness of a range of interventions can be fully explored.
Highlights
The loss of appetite experienced by older people has been largely attributed to the aging process and is often termed the ‘anorexia of aging’ (AA) [1]
The nine different types of intervention for AA were broadly categorized into education, exercise, meal adjustments, supplementation (ONS, amino acid precursor, fortified food), medication and combinations
This review has focused on appetite assessment methods for older people in the context of an intervention
Summary
The loss of appetite experienced by older people has been largely attributed to the aging process and is often termed the ‘anorexia of aging’ (AA) [1]. AA has been linked to a number of important sequelae, predominantly due to poor oral intake and reduction in a variety of nutrients including protein, fiber, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables [3,4]. The consequences of AA include the development of subsequent undernutrition, immunosuppression, Nutrients 2019, 11, 144; doi:10.3390/nu11010144 www.mdpi.com/journal/nutrients. Nutrients 2019, 11, 144 and reduction in a variety of nutrients including protein, fiber, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables [3,4]. The consequences of AA include the development of subsequent undernutrition, immunosuppression, sarcopenia, and frailty (which can appetite reciprocally worsen appetite further). This sarcopenia, and frailty (which can reciprocally worsen further)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
