Elucidation of Sensory Characteristics and Food Preferences in the Elderly

Elucidation of Sensory Characteristics and Food Preferences in the Elderly

Malnutrition is a frequent problem in persons older than 65 years: the prevalence of malnutrition can reach 25 to 29% in persons living at home who require help, figures vary between 19 and 38% for those living in institutions, and finally, the prevalence of malnutrition in hospitalized elderly patients can reach 30 to 90%. A few studies have attempted to explain modifications in attitudes, behaviour, the frequency of meals or nutritional status in the elderly by a fall in chemosensory sensitivity The aim of this project is to test the hypothesis that perhaps it is not as much the capacity to perceive a smell or a taste that affects eating behaviour in the elderly as their ability to distinguish between smells or tastes on the one hand (perceptual processing), and their ability to correctly interpret a chemosensory signal on the other (cognitive processing).

Inclusion Criteria:

• Persons older than 65 years.
• Persons with diabetes, heart disease or hypertension stabilized by a treatment.
• Persons cognitively able to carry out the tests and fill in the questionnaires (Folstein test between 22 and 30).

Exclusion Criteria:

• Any person suffering from an acute disease at the time of the test.
• Any person presenting any allergy whatsoever (food, mites, pollen…).
• Any person suffering from asthma or severe respiratory disorders (lung cancer, tracheotomy…).
• Any person presenting anosmia (total loss of olfaction) from birth or following physical trauma (head injury) or due to disease (severe rhinitis).
• Persons with diabetes, heart disease or hypertension not stabilized by treatment.
• Any person presenting life expectancy of less than 6 months.