A review of age-related changes in energy regulation and suggested mechanisms.
This review discusses recent studies on possible causes of weight loss in older individuals. Studies of the regulation of food intake suggest that aging is associated with an impairment in the regulation of food intake that inhibits appropriate short-term and long-term compensation for imposed alterations in energy intake. The combination of a reduced ability to regulate energy intake, decreased sensory specific satiety, and adverse social factors such as functional limitations, social isolation and depression, increases the risk of negative energy balance leading to weight loss in older individuals.
Roberts
S B
SB
The Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, 711 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02111, USA. sroberts@hnrc.tufts.edu
D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology; D000818:Animals; D004435:Eating; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D006801:Humans; D012919:Social Behavior