A poor appetite or ability to eat and its association with physical function have not been explored considerably amongst community-dwelling older adults. The current study examined whether having an illness or physical condition affecting one’s appetite or ability to eat is associated with body composition, muscle strength, or physical function amongst community-dwelling older adults. This is a secondary analysis of cross-sectional data from the age, gene/environment susceptibility-Reykjavik study (n = 5764). Illnesses or physical conditions affecting one’s appetite or ability to eat, activities of daily living, current level of physical activity, and smoking habits were assessed with a questionnaire. Fat mass, fat-free mass, body mass index, knee extension strength, and grip strength were measured, and the 6-m walk test and timed up-and-go test were administered. Individuals who reported illnesses or physical conditions affecting their appetite or ability to eat were considered to have a poor appetite. The associations of appetite or the ability to eat with body composition and physical function were analysed with stepwise linear regression models. A total of 804 (14%) individuals reported having conditions affecting their appetite or ability to eat and had a significantly lower fat-free mass and body mass index, less grip strength, and poorer physical function than did those without any conditions affecting their appetite or ability to eat. Although the factors reported to affect one’s appetite or ability to eat are seldom considered severe, their strong associations with physical function suggest that any condition affecting one’s appetite or ability to eat requires attention.

在社区居住的老年人中，食欲或进食能力差及其与身体机能的关系尚未得到充分探索。目前的研究检查了在社区居住的老年人中，患有影响食欲或进食能力的疾病或身体状况是否与身体成分、肌肉力量或身体机能有关。这是对年龄、基因/环境易感性-雷克雅未克研究（n = 5764）。通过问卷评估影响一个人的食欲或进食能力、日常生活活动、当前身体活动水平和吸烟习惯的疾病或身体状况。测量脂肪量、无脂肪量、体重指数、膝关节伸展强度和握力，并进行 6 米步行测试和计时起跳测试。报告疾病或身体状况影响其食欲或进食能力的个体被认为是食欲不佳。用逐步线性回归模型分析食欲或进食能力与身体成分和身体机能的关联。共有 804 (14%) 个人报告有影响他们的食欲或进食能力的疾病，并且无脂肪质量和体重指数显着降低，握力降低，和那些没有任何影响食欲或进食能力的疾病的人相比，他们的身体机能更差。尽管据报道影响一个人的食欲或进食能力的因素很少被认为是严重的，但它们与身体机能的强烈关联表明，任何影响一个人的食欲或进食能力的状况都需要引起注意。