Anorexia, undernutrition, weight loss, sarcopenia, and cachexia of aging

Abstract

During the period between 2000 and 2030, the number of persons older than 65 years is projected to grow from 550 to 937 million worldwide. Globally, this growth represents an increase from 6.9 to 12 %. Studies have found that 74.6 % of women and 67.4 % of men aged 65 years or older suffer from many clinical and subclinical syndromes and problems, including anorexia, undernutrition, weight loss, sarcopenia, and cachexia, which are often overlooked or managed inadequately. These issues are very common in the elder. The key clinical question is whether these changes in the elder are distinct entities or an interdependent continuum. In this article, we reviewed these issues of related basic, clinical knowledge. The purpose of this review is to enhance the recognition of anorexia, undernutrition, weight loss, sarcopenia, and cachexia.

Appetite‐Inducing Effects of Homoeriodictyol: Two Randomized, Cross‐Over Interventions

“…This condition is characterized by a loss of appetite and a reduced food intake, promoting weight loss and adverse health outcomes in the elderly. A decrease in body weight from the age of 65 years is recognized as an independent predictor of morbidity and mortality …”

“…A decrease in body weight from the age of 65 years is recognized as an independent predictor of morbidity and mortality. [1] Although especially nursing home residents and hospitalized elderly are at risk, also about 30% of community-dwelling elderly people are suffering from a loss of appetite, [2] sometimes leading to symptoms of severe protein-energy malnutrition, which are associated with several co-morbidities like dementia, heart disease and diabetes. [3] Regulation of energy intake is a controlled process, including the feeling of hunger, which triggers meal initiation, due to acute energy depletion, and satiation, which determines the size of a meal.…”

Discretion or Disorder? The Impact of Weight Management Issues on the Diagnosis and Treatment of Disordered Eating and Clinical Eating Disorders

“…• Sarcopenia, the loss of muscle mass in moderate to severe AN is frequently overlooked by clinicians. Appropriate exercise is required to restore muscle mass and strength [31].…”

Fatigue and primary sarcopenia in geriatric patients

“…Sarcopenia can cause an increase in the risk of falls and fractures due to falls, deterioration in activities of daily living, movement disorders, increased hospitalization, decreased quality of life, and even death. As can be seen, sarcopenia is associated with many adverse conditions in the elderly and can be considered a marker of frailty 3 , 4 .…”