L'altération des fonctions sensorielles et de l'appétit est-elle une fatalité chez le sujet âgé ?

Profound differences of appetite occur in older persons. Appetite correlates poorly with body weight in older persons, leading to failure to increase ingestion of nutrients in response to weight loss. Older persons exhibit less hunger and earlier satiety. Dramatic and poorly understood alterations occur in the physiologic regulation of appetite. The response to social and psychological stimulants is similar to younger adults. The screening for sensory impairment should be included in the comprehensive geriatric assessment. Pharmacologic stimulants of appetite suggest a promising intervention for anorexia.