Some older people, especially men living alone, lose interest in food. Getting out to shop and meet people may be difficult. Even if getting out is not a problem, it may not seem worth the effort to shop and prepare food for one person. Gradually, the pleasant associations are forgotten and appetite disappears. Other people tend to eat more as they get older.
Meals become more important as they become less involved in other social activities.
Think about why you have less appetite or more appetite than you used to have. Loneliness is one of the most common reasons. You might arrange to eat lunch with friends or a relative sometimes, or eat some of your meals at a senior center. One problem with poor appetite is that you may not be getting enough vitamins and minerals to keep you healthy. Try to vary your food to include fresh fruit and vegetables.