The relationship between physical activity, appetite and energy intake in older adults: A systematic review

Abstract

Ageing often causes a reduction in appetite and energy intake in older adults which can result in malnutrition. Current guidelines for older adults suggest increasing physical activity to enhance appetite. However, it is unclear if there is evidence to support this advice. This aim of this review is to assess if appetite and energy intake is changed in older adults that undertake acute or regular physical activity (measured from cross sectional and intervention studies). Databases SPORTDiscus, CINAHL, MEDLINE were searched for studies between 1970 and 2017 using search terms related to ageing, physical activity (including exercise), energy and appetite. Studies included contained adults over 60 years, including acute, cross-sectional and intervention (longitudinal) studies. Of 34 full-text articles assessed, 8 were included. The Cochrane Collaboration's tool was used for assessing risk of bias. No acute studies were found. Of the cross-sectional studies, one study suggested that individuals who undertake habitual physical activity had an increased energy intake and none of the studies found differences in appetite ratings. Energy intakes increased in the intervention studies, though not always sufficiently to maintain energy balance. One study showed that ability to correctly compensate for previous energy intake was better in those that undertake habitual physical activity. The limited number of studies, wide range of data collection methodologies, time-scales and interventions mean that definitive outcomes are difficult to identify. At this stage advice to increase acute or habitual physical activity as a mean to increase appetite is not supported by sufficient evidence.

Hill Runner's Physiology, Performance and Nutrition: A Descriptive Study

“…In addition, the energy cost of running can be expected to be higher for older runners (Pantoja et al, 2016). Participating in physical activity is thought to increase appetite, reducing the risk of the anorexia of ageing; however, a recent systematic review concluded that there is insufficient evidence to apply this statement to older adults (Clegg and Godfrey, 2018). This is supported by our findings: reduced energy intake in the current study was significantly associated with age, suggesting that an active lifestyle may not be sufficient to moderate reduction in appetite associated with ageing.…”

The Effects of Exercise on Appetite in Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…Overall, the relationships between exercise, physical activity, and appetite are poorly researched in older adults, with a marked paucity of aging-specific data (13,17,30). Previous research (3,9,13,17,21,22,(27)(28)(29)(30)(31)(32)(33)(34)(35)(36) on the effects of exercise and physical activity on appetite in aging populations is inconsistent and appears to be unclear. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the existing literature on exercise and physical activity interventions in older adult populations, with the aim of better understanding how they may impact hunger and satiety in aging groups.…”

Innovative plAnt Protein fibre and Physical activity solutions to address poor appEtite and prevenT undernutrITion in oldEr adults – APPETITE

“…These anabolic effects are well studied for animal protein (Boirie & Guillet, 2018), but little is known about the effects of plant proteins on digestion and protein metabolism. Physical activity also enhances energy expenditure and may increase appetite in some circumstances, but evidence for this in older adults and an understanding of underlying mechanisms is currently very limited (Clegg & Godfrey, 2018;Grannell et al, 2019).…”