Anorexia in older patients: its meaning and management. In the elderly, clinically significant weight loss is closely related to malnutrition, the causes of which can proliferate in this age group. Clinicians must therefore keep a wide range of possible etiologies in mind when evaluating these patients. These fall into the general categories of social, psychological, medical, and age-related. Isolating the cause will direct what is often simple, effective, and, perhaps, life-saving therapy. 