An overview of appetite decline in older people
Intended for healthcare professionals
CPD Previous     Next

An overview of appetite decline in older people

Anna L Pilgrim Senior research assistant, National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University of Southampton and University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust; MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton
Sian M Robinson Professor of nutritional epidemiology, National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University of Southampton and University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust; MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton
Avan Aihie Sayer Professor of geriatric medicine, NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University of Southampton and University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust; MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton; Academic Geriatric Medicine, University of Southampton; NIHR Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care: Wessex
Helen C Roberts Associate professor of geriatric medicine, NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University of Southampton and University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust; MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton; Academic Geriatric Medicine, University of Southampton; NIHR Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care: Wessex

Poor appetite is a common problem in older people living at home and in care homes, as well as hospital inpatients. It can contribute to weight loss and nutritional deficiencies, and associated poor healthcare outcomes, including increased mortality. Understanding the causes of reduced appetite and knowing how to measure it will enable nurses and other clinical staff working in a range of community and hospital settings to identify patients with impaired appetite. A range of strategies can be used to promote better appetite and increase food intake.

Nursing Older People. 27, 5, 29-35. doi: 10.7748/nop.27.5.29.e697

Correspondence

alp@mrc.soton.ac.uk

Peer review

This article has been subject to double-blind review and checked using antiplagiarism software. For related articles visit our online archive and search using the keywords

Conflict of interest

None declared

Received: 06 March 2015

Accepted: 17 April 2015

Want to read more?

RCNi-Plus
Already have access? Log in

or

3-month trial offer for £5.25/month

Subscribe today and save 50% on your first three months
RCNi Plus users have full access to the following benefits:
  • Unlimited access to all 10 RCNi Journals
  • RCNi Learning featuring over 175 modules to easily earn CPD time
  • NMC-compliant RCNi Revalidation Portfolio to stay on track with your progress
  • Personalised newsletters tailored to your interests
  • A customisable dashboard with over 200 topics
Subscribe

Alternatively, you can purchase access to this article for the next seven days. Buy now


Are you a student? Our student subscription has content especially for you.
Find out more