Appetite is the desire to eat. A decreased appetite is when you have a reduced desire to eat. This occurs despite the body's basic caloric (energy) needs.

Any illness can affect a previously hearty appetite. If the illness is treatable, the appetite should return when the condition is cured.

Loss of appetite can cause unintentional weight loss.

Depression in the elderly is a common cause of weight loss that is not explained by other factors.

• Emotional upset, nervousness, loneliness, boredom, tension, anxiety, bereavement, and depression
• Anorexia nervosa
• Acute and chronic infections
• HIV
• Pregnancy (first trimester)
• Cancer
• Hypothyroidism
• Medications and street drugs
  • Chemotherapeutic agents
  • Amphetamines
  • Sympathomimetics including ephedrine
  • Antibiotics
  • Cough and cold preparations
  • Codeine
  • Morphine
  • Demerol
  • Digitalis

Protein and calorie intake can be increased by eating high-calorie, nutritious snacks or several small meals during the day. Liquid protein drinks may be helpful.

Family members should try to supply favorite foods to help stimulate the person's appetite.

You should keep a record of what you eat and drink for 24 hours. This is called a diet history. If a person with anorexia nervosa consistently exaggerates food intake, strict calorie and nutrient counts should be maintained by someone else.

For loss of appetite caused by taking medications, ask your health care provider about changing the dosage or drug. Never stop taking medications without first talking to your health care provider.

See also: Weight management

Call your health care provider if you are losing a lot of weight without trying.

Note: To calculate the percentage of weight loss, divide the weight lost (in pounds) by your previous weight (in pounds) and multiply by 100.

For example, if a person weighing 125 pounds loses 10 pounds:

• 10 divided by 125 = 0.08
• 0.08 times 100 = 8% weight loss

Your doctor will perform a physical exam and will check your height and weight. Your diet and medical history will be reviewed. The doctor wll ask questions about your decreased appetite, including:

• Quality
  • Is the decreased appetite severe or mild?
  • How much weight has been lost?
• Time pattern
  • Is loss of appetite a new symptom?
  • If so, did it start after an upsetting event, such as the death of a family member?
• What other symptoms are also present?

Tests that may be done to determine the cause of a decreased appetite may include:

• Barium enema, sigmoidoscopy, or colonoscopy (if colon cancer is suspected)
• Liver function tests
• Kidney function tests
• Thyroid function tests
• Abdominal ultrasound (if a specific abdominal cause is suspected)
• Upper GI series
• Pregnancy test
• Urine drug screening
• HIV test
• Complete blood count (CBC)
• Erythrocyte sedimentation rate

In cases of severe malnutrition, nutrients are given through an intravenous (IV). This may require a hospital stay.