Question

Answer Choices

N (Percentage)

What proportions of your patients are currently experiencing geriatric anorexia (anorexia of aging)?

None

1% to 25%

26% to 50%

51% to 75%

76% to 100%

Unsure

11 (15.1)

42 (57.5)

7 (9.6)

5 (6.9)

1 (1.4)

7 (9.6)

How confident are you right now in your ability to identify geriatric anorexia (anorexia of aging)?

Not at all confident

Somewhat confident

Neither confident nor unconfident

Very confident

Extremely confident

14 (19.2)

37 (50.7)

12 (16.4)

7 (9.6)

3 (4.1)

How often do you currently use standardized screening tools to assess appetite and risk for weight loss in your older patients?

Never

Rarely

Sometimes

Frequently

Always

24 (32.9)

20 (27.4)

16 (21.9)

11 (15.1)

2 (2.7)

Your patient is an 81-year-old woman who lives at home on her own. During her most recent clinic visit, you notice her muscle mass has decreased. When you ask about it, she mentions that lately she has not been hungry and is not eating as much. Your patient’s reduced appetite may be related to her sarcopenia, which is directly related to insufficient intake of:

Fat

Carbohydrates

Fiber

Protein^*

I don’t know

1 (1.4)

5 (6.9)

0 (0)

59 (80.8)

8 (11)

Based on current recommendations, what is the recommended dietary protein intake in older adults?

0.5 grams of protein per kilogram body weight/day^*

2 grams of protein per kilogram body weight/day

4 grams of protein per kilogram body weight/day

6 grams of protein per kilogram body weight/day

I don’t know

8 (11)

26 (35.6)

16 (21.9)

7 (9.6)

16 (21.9)

Which of the following hormones secreted by the gastrointestinal tract is elevated in the fasting state and markedly lower in geriatric anorexia (anorexia of aging)?

Ghrelin^*

Cholecystokinin

Leptin

Glucagon-like peptide

I don’t know

18 (24.7)

4 (5.5)

20 (27.4)

6 (8.2)

25 (34.3)

A four-question validated tool that can be used to assess appetite among older adults and identify those who are at risk for future weight loss is:

Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI)

Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA)

Simplified Nutritional Appetite Questionnaire (SNAQ)^*

Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST)

I don’t know

26 (35.6)

6 (8.2)

16 (21.9)

3 (4.1)

22 (30.1)

Which of the following diets has been shown to have beneficial effects on geriatric anorexia (anorexia of aging)?

Paleo diet

Mediterranean diet^*

Atkins diet

Keto diet

I don’t know

6 (8.2)

32 (43.8)

8 (11)

5 (6.9)

22 (30.1)

What do you consider to be the greatest barrier to managing anorexia of aging (i.e, decreased appetite and unintended weight loss in older adults)? (select ONE)

Distance or travel-related barriers

Shortage of specialists

Limited knowledge about this disorder

Lack of available guidelines for management

Lack of available therapeutic options

Lack of validated screening tools

Treatment-related side effects

Lack of time/competing priorities

4 (5.5)

3 (4.11)

38 (52.1)

14 (19.2)

7 (9.6)

3 (4.11)

0 (0)

4 (5.5)

Which of the following best describes your level of interest in learning more about geriatric anorexia (anorexia of aging)?

Extremely interested

Considerably interested

Slightly interested

Not at all interested

31 (42.5)

27 (37)

13 (17.8)

2 (2.7)