eat less as get older?

Question
Except for illness, as people get elderly why do they tend to eat less food than when they were younger? I myself am a 58 year old male and used to be able to eat almost a whole pizza in one sitting, when now it's less.

Answer
Hi Lee,

Interesting question, and there may be a few reasons for this.

1.  Pizzas were smaller when you were younger :)
2.  We were more active when we were younger
3.  Our digestive system ages as we do.  We used to be able to eat more food, more acidic food, more sweet food, etc.  We just adjust as we age and don't tolerate the same things we did when we were younger, just as we cannot stretch as far, jump as high, or run as fast.

But do consider the fact that portions have really become much larger.  They didn't have 1/3 or 1/2 pound burgers 20 years ago and now that is what today's young people are considering practically normal.  You may have more regular eating habits now, whereas when you indulged in an entire pizza it was after not eating a healthy breakfast and lunch, or after staying up past midnight.

There isn't really a biological reason someone would eat less as they age, except for the fact that growing and active youth need more energy and it may be reflected in their appetite!

1. Prev:cant loose weight
2. Next:Trail mix