Insufficient nutrition and physical inactivity are recognised to increase the progressive age-related decline in strength and muscle mass, known as sarcopenia, though both are subject to modification. Sarcopenia can have significant clinical implications including functional impairments such as poor balance, slow walking speed, increased risk of falls, difficulty carrying out daily tasks, and increased risk of all-cause mortality. Anorexia of ageing is an age-related reduction in appetite which is associated with decreased energy intake. If reduction in appetite is not addressed, it can cause malnutrition, weight loss, and sarcopenia. Delayed gastric emptying is often a potential mechanism related to a decrease in appetite. Therefore, increasing physical activity seems appropriate as a non-invasive method to increase the rate of gastric emptying, which may in turn assist in maintaining or increasing appetite in older adults. In general, the association between physical activity, exercise, and appetite are insufficiently researched in older adults, and past research on the effect of physical activity on appetite is unclear and conflicting. The research question, ‘is physical activity or sedentary time associated with appetite, energy, and dietary intake in inactive older adults with poor appetite?’ aims to better understand associations between appetite, dietary intake and physical activity in older adults struggling with poor appetite. The research question will be addressed by examining the associations between self-reported appetite ratings via SNAQ questionnaire, 3-day food diary and activity measured via an accelerometer in older adults aged +65 years. The research project’s objective is to acquire a better understanding of the complex associations of age-related changes in dietary intake/appetite and to fill the gap in evidence regarding the position of physical activity in lessening the decrease of appetite and energy intake that happens with ageing, thereby reducing the risk of developing sarcopenia and malnutrition.
