Control of food intake in the aging

In the elderly an adequate food intake can contribute to improve well-being and quality of life. Further studies are necessary to better understand factors contributing to poor nutrition in the elderly, such as changes in various neurotransmitters, and to develop preventive (reduction of risk factors, improvement of nutritional assessment) and treatment strategies (e.g. increased energy and nutrient density food, improving taste and smell). Dietary interventions in older adults should aim to prevent and delay the frailty process, to recover from clinical and functional decline and to improve quality of life. Interventions need to be acceptable, integrated with other health promoting strategies and continually monitored to evaluate their effectiveness. It is very important to keep into consideration and face anorexia of aging in due time (133). Consequences of malnutrition, as stated, can be extremely serious and deeply affect patient’s morbidity, mortality and quality of life.