General Practice, by video or in person
Poor Appetite and Weight Loss in Older People
The signs, the danger signs that mean hospital now, and how to see a doctor by video from anywhere in Nigeria.
Signs to look for
Poor Appetite and Weight Loss in Older People
- Eating much less than usual, or leaving most of each meal
- Clothes, rings, belts or dentures becoming loose
- Tiredness, weakness, and getting ill often or recovering slowly
- Difficulty chewing or swallowing, or coughing when eating
- Low mood, withdrawal or loss of interest in people
Losing interest in food and losing weight are not a normal part of ageing. In an older person they usually have a cause, and many causes can be treated: painful teeth or loose dentures, difficulty swallowing, depression or loneliness, the side effects of medicines, an infection, an overactive thyroid, diabetes, heart failure, dementia and, sometimes, cancer. Living alone, difficulty getting to the market or cooking, and money worries play a part too. People aged 65 and over are particularly at risk of malnutrition, and unplanned weight loss leads to weakness, falls, infections and slow recovery from illness, so it is worth acting early. Clothes, rings or dentures becoming loose are often the first sign a family notices.
Medically reviewed by Dr Debo Odulana, Founder and Chief Executive, Mezo. Last reviewed . This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Care is decided with you after an examination.
Symptoms
- Eating much less than usual, or leaving most of each meal
- Clothes, rings, belts or dentures becoming loose
- Tiredness, weakness, and getting ill often or recovering slowly
- Difficulty chewing or swallowing, or coughing when eating
- Low mood, withdrawal or loss of interest in people
- Forgetting to eat, or no longer able to shop or cook
When to See a Doctor
Go to a hospital now if an older person has stopped drinking or has drunk very little for a day, is passing very little urine, is drowsy or newly confused, is vomiting blood or passing black stools, or cannot swallow food or their own saliva. See a doctor if they have lost weight without trying over the last three to six months, have stopped eating normally, have difficulty swallowing, or have weight loss with other symptoms such as pain, a cough, a change in bowel habit or low mood. A doctor can take the history by video with your parent, with you on the call if they want you there, review their medicines, order blood tests, and say whether they need to be examined in person.
Treatment options
- Weighing regularly, so that a loss is noticed and measured
- Blood tests, such as a blood count, blood sugar, thyroid and kidney function, to look for a cause
- A review of medicines that dull the appetite or cause nausea or a dry mouth
- Dental care and well-fitting dentures
- Small, frequent meals and snacks high in energy and protein, such as eggs, beans, fish and milk, with extra oil or milk powder added to food
- Nutritional supplement drinks when food alone is not enough, on a doctor's or dietitian's advice
- Treatment of depression, and company at mealtimes
- A swallowing assessment when there is coughing or choking on food
Common Questions
Is it normal for old people to eat less?
Older people may need a little less food, but losing interest in eating and losing weight are not a normal part of ageing. The NHS notes that people aged 65 and over are particularly at risk of malnutrition, so a cause is worth finding.
My father has lost weight but says he is eating well. Should I worry?
Yes, it is worth a doctor's review. Weight loss with a normal appetite can come from an overactive thyroid, diabetes or other conditions that need tests.
What can the family do at home?
Weigh them every few weeks, offer small meals and snacks often, add energy and protein to foods they like, make sure dentures fit, eat with them when you can, and keep a list of their medicines. If they live alone, find out who shops and cooks for them.
Can a doctor help by video?
Yes, as a first step. A doctor can take the history with your parent, and with you if they want you there, review their medicines, order blood tests, and tell you whether they need an examination in person. In Lagos, a doctor can also visit them at home.
Need Help?
A doctor on a video call with your parent, with you or another relative on the call if they want you there, who tells you whether they need to be examined in person.
See a doctor by video, with family on the callIf any of the danger signs on this page applies, go to the nearest hospital now instead.
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The guidelines and patient information this page is checked against. Care in Nigeria follows the same evidence; what differs is the price and where it is done.
- Malnutrition. NHS. Patient information.
- Unintentional weight loss. NHS. Patient information.
- Nutrition support for adults: oral nutrition support, enteral tube feeding and parenteral nutrition (CG32). National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Clinical guideline.
- Dysphagia (swallowing problems). NHS. Patient information.
- Integrated care for older people: guidelines on community-level interventions to manage declines in intrinsic capacity. World Health Organization, 2017. Clinical guideline.
Links last checked 30 October 2026.
Medical Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.