Which statement best describes malnutrition in the elderly?

• A. Reduced sense of taste and lack of appetite.
• B. Weight gain due to metabolic slowdown.
• C. Increased sense of taste.
• D. Improved appetite.

Answer: (A)

In older adults, malnutrition is most often driven by a reduced sense of taste combined with a lack of appetite, which lowers overall food intake. Aging can dull taste and smell, and medications or illnesses can further suppress appetite, so even familiar foods seem less appealing and fewer calories and nutrients are consumed. Over time this insufficient intake leads to weight loss and nutrient deficiencies, especially when compounded by factors like dental problems, functional limitations, depression, or social isolation. The other statements don’t fit the typical pattern: weight gain isn’t a hallmark of malnutrition, and an increased sense of taste or improved appetite would tend to boost intake rather than reduce it.