Research
Hormonal
Altered glucose and insulin homeostasis in older adults, including elevated postprandial glucose and insulin, delays the return of hunger and contributes to reduced energy intake.
Focus on meals with a lower glycemic impact to avoid prolonged post-meal fullness and delayed hunger, which can suppress subsequent intake in older adults.
ModerateSupportsMEDIUM confidence
The elevated circulating insulin levels... that are typical of the reduced insulin sensitivity occurring in old age... may also contribute to a delayed return of hunger, perhaps through a central satiety effect of high insulin levels.
Why this rating
Based on specific studies (Melanson et al., Wolden-Hanson et al.) but some mechanisms are still being elucidated.
Source
Nutrition and Aging: Changes in the Regulation of Energy Metabolism With Aging
Susan B. Roberts et al. · Physiological Reviews · 2006
DOI 10.1152/physrev.00019.2005
narrative_reviewCited 361×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
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- Healthy aging is associated with an impaired ability to regulate energy intake, specifically through reduced hunger perception and increased post-meal satiation, leading to an inability to compensate for energy deficits and resulting in involuntary weight loss.Good
- Age-related declines in taste and smell acuity reduce dietary variety and palatability, which contributes to reduced energy intake and impaired energy regulation in older adults.Good
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