Anorexia nervosa, a psychological disorder
characterized by extreme aversion to food, fear
of gaining weight, a distorted body image and selfstarvation,
is usually associated with younger people.
But research suggests that it may be more common
than previously thought among older people too.
The authors of the review, which was published in
the issue of the journal ‘International Psycho geriatrics’,
reported that 21% of individuals studied died from their
disorders or complications relating to their disorders,
and urged greater awareness of ‘eating disorders’
as a cause of unexplained weight loss in the elderly.
Social factors such as poverty, loneliness or grief can
all lead to a loss of motivation to eat.
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