Anorexia of aging is characterized by which of the following?

• A. Loss of appetite and wasting associated with old age marked by hormonal and body composition changes
• B. Increased appetite with weight gain due to aging
• C. Appetite changes solely due to physical activity
• D. Stable appetite with no weight change in aging

Answer: (A)

Anorexia of aging arises from a natural, multifactorial decline in appetite that often accompanies aging, leading to reduced food intake and unintentional weight loss with loss of lean body mass. Hormonal shifts and changes in body composition that occur with age contribute to a decreased drive to eat, while additional factors such as alterations in taste and smell, dental issues, medications, chronic diseases, and psychosocial challenges can further suppress intake. This combination explains why loss of appetite paired with wasting is the typical pattern.

The other scenarios don’t fit because increased appetite with weight gain is not characteristic of aging-related appetite, appetite changes aren’t limited to physical activity, and a stable appetite with no weight change misses the common aging-related tendency toward reduced intake and loss of weight.