My grandpa is 90 years old and loses weight. He has 52 kilo, is this still normal?

Germany

It is not possible to evaluate weight without knowing his body height. Nevertheless 52 kilos are very few for an adult. Equally, sudden weight loss is not healthy and may be an indication either your grandfather do not eat enough food or he might have an underlying disease or illness. You should ask your doctor to check. The older elderly (which are people 75 and above) are more likely to be underweight. Though energy requirements decline with age, particularly if physical activity is restricted, requirements for protein, vitamins and minerals remain the same. It is strongly recommended to choose foods which are nutritionally dense, supplying a rich supply of nutrients in a small volume. For all nutritional needs, a varied diet including regular meals and snacks and enough fluid is recommended. Elderly often have poor appetite resulting in weight loss. It is helpful to enrich foods or use enriched nourishing drinks between meals. Swallowing difficulties can also contribute to eating less. Such difficulties can arise from neurological disorders, Parkinson's disease, or following head injury or stroke. A speech and language therapist is often the person to diagnose the severity of the problem; they will offer advice on which types of food texture will be appropriate, whether this be soft foods, thick fluids only or a thin purée. A specialised dietician should be involved to ensure the texture-modified diet contains enough energy and all essential nutrients.