Our appetite is a natural desire or need for food. The body must have a regular supply of nutritious food in order for it to work properly. A loss of appetite (anorexia) may cause less food to be eaten or meals to be skipped. Loss of appetite that occurs for a prolonged period of time may result in weight loss, muscle wasting, and impaired healing. The body may suffer from malnutrition and lack of energy. Common causes of anorexia include:
* chronic illnesses,
* side effects of certain medicines,
* teeth and gum problems,
* chronic pain,
* depression and anxiety,
* dementia,
* infectious diseases such as mononucleosis or hepatitis,
* diseases that cause wasting syndrome, like cancer or AIDS, and
* eating disorders such as bulimia and anorexia nervosa.

There are many things you can do to help increase appetite. These include:
* Offer several small meals daily, instead of large ones.
* Avoid offering strong smelling foods (such as fish or cauliflower).
* Make sure every food you offer is packed with nutrients and calories.
* Keep a snack drawer full of nutritious snacks within easy reach.
* Keep on hand food that requires little energy to prepare and can be easily heated in the microwave, or eaten cold out of the refrigerator.

Seek medical evaluation if a loss of appetite is affecting your weight or nutrition intake. If it is unexplained and lasts longer than a week, it could be a sign of a more serious problem.

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