Psychological factors in nutritional disorders of the elderly: part of the spectrum of eating disorders.
OBJECTIVE
To illustrate common psychogenic factors involved in undereating and undernutrition in the elderly.


METHODS
Two cases are described.


RESULTS
In the context of age-related physical and social factors, obsessional, phobic, and hypochondriacal anxieties can lead to significant food restrictions and undernutrition.


CONCLUSIONS
Psychogenic factors need to be considered in undernutrition of the elderly and the phenomena considered in the spectrum of eating disorders.
Clarke
D M
DM
Monash Medical Centre, Melbourne, Australia.
Wahlqvist
M L
ML
Rassias
C R
CR
Strauss
B J
BJ
D000368:Aged / Q000523:psychology*; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000855:Anorexia / Q000523:psychology; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009748:Nutrition Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D009770:Obsessive Behavior / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D010698:Phobic Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology