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Why Can’t I Eat as Much as I Used to?

The New York Times • June 30, 2026 • health

Key Points:

Research shows that people aged 60 and older tend to consume 16 to 20 percent fewer calories than younger adults, indicating a natural decline in appetite with age.
Hormonal changes, such as reduced production or sensitivity to ghrelin—the hormone that stimulates hunger—may contribute to decreased feelings of hunger in older adults.
Multiple factors, including age-related physiological changes, influence appetite and satiety, making it complex to pinpoint a single cause for reduced food intake in seniors.
Experts suggest that understanding these changes can help address appetite issues and maintain proper nutrition as people age.