Ageing Is Associated with Decreases in Appetite and Energy Intake—A Meta-Analysis in Healthy Adults

Abstract

It is not well recognized that in the elderly weight loss is more common than weight gain. The aim of this analysis was to determine the effect of ageing on appetite (hunger/fullness) and energy intake, after overnight fasting and in a postprandial state, by meta-analyses of trials that included at least two age groups (>18 years). We hypothesized that appetite and energy intake would be less in healthy older compared with younger adults. Following a PubMed-database systematic search up to 30 June 2015, 59 studies were included in the random-effects-model meta-analyses. Energy intake was 16%–20% lower in older (n = 3574/~70 years/~71 kg/~25 kg/m2) than younger (n = 4111/~26 years/~69 kg/~23 kg/m2) adults (standardized mean difference: −0.77 (95% confidence interval −0.90 to −0.64)). Hunger was 25% (after overnight fasting; weighted mean difference (WMD): −17 (−22 to −13) mm) to 39% (in a postprandial state; WMD: −14 (−19 to −9) mm) lower, and fullness 37% (after overnight fasting; WMD: 6 mm (95% CI: 1 to 11 mm)) greater in older than younger adults. In conclusion, appetite and energy intake are less in healthy older than younger adults, suggesting that ageing per se affects food intake.

Effects of Age on Acute Appetite-Related Responses to Whey-Protein Drinks, Including Energy Intake, Gastric Emptying, Blood Glucose, and Plasma Gut Hormone Concentrations—A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…We, and others, have reported that, in older compared to younger adults, the suppression of appetite and energy intake by nutrient ingestion [9,11,22], including ingestion of 70 g of pure whey protein by healthy men [9], as used in the P 280 condition in the present study, is less. The observed difference between older and younger men in the extent of the suppression of ad libitum energy intake three hours after the 70 g of whey protein was consumed alone was comparable to that observed in our previous study of healthy men (5), although absolute mean suppression by whey was less in the present study (∆12%; younger men: −7 ± 4%, older men: +5 ± 5%) than the previous study (∆12%; younger men: −12 ± 3, older men: 0 ± 8%).…”

AGS and NIA Bench‐to Bedside Conference Summary: Osteoporosis and Soft Tissue (Muscle and Fat) Disorders

“…Energy intake decreases with age, but nutritional requirements remain the same or increase . Older adults therefore have a risk of nutritional deficiencies.…”

“…40 Energy intake decreases with age, but nutritional requirements remain the same or increase. 41 Older adults therefore have a risk of nutritional deficiencies. Calcium and vitamin D are important for bone health, but the safety and efficiency of high supplement doses, and which combinations and doses are optimal, are unclear.…”

Physical fitness in community dwelling older adults is linked to dietary intake, gut microbiota and metabolomic signatures

“…A number of guidelines toward dietary and daily physical activity recommendations are currently available, however, adherence remains a significant challenge (Gopinath et al, 2016). Further, food perception and dietary habits can be strongly altered during the course of life, particularly those traits associated with the loss of appetite (declined senses of smell and taste), occurrence of immune-senescence and deterioration of the gastro-intestinal system (Giezenaar et al, 2016).…”