Division of Human Nutrition and Epidemiology, Wageningen University, WAGENINGEN, THE NETHERLANDS. *Dept of Human Nutrition, University of Otago, Dunedin , NEW-ZEALAND. Correspondence to: Marie-Françoise Mathey, Division of Human Nutrition and Epidemiology, Wageningen University, Dreijenlaan 1, 6703 HA WAGENINGEN, THE NETHERLANDS. Tel: ++31 317 48 53 00 . Fax: ++31 317 48 27 82. E-mail: Marie-Francoise.Mathey@Staff.NutEpi.WAU.NL

Abstract: Background: In investigating anorexia of ageing, attention is often given to physical and psychological determinants of appetite in the elderly but little has been done to provide information on self-assessment of appetite and sensory perceptions in the elderly. Objectives: to provide data and detect possible differences in self-assessment of appetite, hunger feelings and sensory perception in different health group of elderly using the Appetite, Hunger feelings and Sensory Perception (AHSP) questionnaire. Methods: three health categories of elderly subjects were used for the present study: free-living with no help, free-living with help and nursing home elderly. For each group, collected data were general characteristics, anthropometry and answers to the AHSP. The AHSP questionnaire includes 29-items focusing on feelings of hunger and appetite as well as taste and smell perception addressing both the present situation and the period before retirement. Results: Significant differences were observed between the 3 health groups for appetite, hunger feelings, present taste perception and present smell perception (P<0.05). Appetite and hunger were found to be related to body weight in the healthiest but not in the others. Conclusion: A decline in health status is paired with a decrease in appetite, hunger feelings and sensory perceptions of elderly subjects.

Key Words: elderly, self assessment of appetite, health status, nutrition, accelerated agers, successful agers, aging