Causes of Eating Disorders in Older People

Nutritional problems often occur due to poor dietary patterns, especially when the intake is not balanced with the body’s nutritional needs. Nutritional intake is essential for older people as they adapt to the various changes associated with the aging process. A balanced diet with proper nutrition can help prevent and reduce the risk of degenerative diseases and enhance the immune system to fight infections.

However, many older people tend to have a poor appetite, and some may even refuse to eat. Several factors contribute to eating difficulties in older people:

• Decreased sense of taste and smell, which leads to loss of appetite. As a result, older people may eat less or show little interest in food. They also tend to prefer overly salty or sweet foods, which are not good for their health.

• Tooth loss or loose teeth, which make it difficult for them to chew hard or tough-textured foods.

• Reduced saliva production, which impairs their ability to chew and swallow food properly.

• Weakened digestive function, including the stomach and intestines, can cause gastrointestinal issues such as bloating, stomach pain, and constipation. These problems can further reduce appetite and lead to conditions like hemorrhoids.

• Decline in motor skills, which makes it difficult for older people to feed themselves independently.

Addressing these causes is important to help older people maintain proper nutrition and overall health as they age.