Chemosensory impairment does not diminish eating pleasure and appetite in independently living older adults

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the impact of chemosensory impairment on diminished eating pleasure and appetite in independently living Italian older adults.

Study design: 239 individuals (65 to 101 years old, 157 women), with no severe medical conditions and good cognitive performance were recruited. Olfactory and gustatory functions were measured using a short version of Sniffin' Sticks and Taste Strips tests (Burghart). Information about socio-demographic characteristics, health, perceived smell and taste impairment, diminished eating pleasure and appetite were obtained with a specially designed questionnaire.

Results: Prevalence of chemosensory impairment detected in this sample is high, being 41% for taste and 33% for olfaction. However, the frequency of self-reported impairment is consistently lower than the measured one, especially in men and in older subjects. Measured chemosensory impairment is not significantly related with eating pleasure and appetite. On the other hand, factors significantly influencing decline of eating pleasure are: living alone, dietary restriction and perceived taste impairment. Meanwhile, a significant influence of dietary restriction, dentures and subjective health status on appetite decline is observed.

Conclusions: The results of this study show that chemosensory impairment may not be related with diminished eating pleasure and appetite, while other non-physiological factors such as loneliness, dietary restrictions and subjective health should be taken more into account in order to develop effective strategies to counteract malnutrition in the elderly. In addition, low awareness of chemosensory impairment among this sample highlights the importance of measuring sensory acuity rather than asking by questionnaire or interview, in order to obtain reliable data.

Keywords: Appetite; Awareness; Chemosensory impairment; Eating pleasure; Elderly people.