HESI Health Assessment Practice Test 2025 – All-in-One Study Guide for Exam Success!

A typical consequence of aging that can significantly impact a person's nutritional health is reduced sensory input affecting hunger cues. As individuals age, they may experience a decline in their sensory perception, including taste and smell. This reduction can lead to decreased appetite and altered hunger cues, making it difficult for older adults to recognize when they are hungry or to enjoy food as they once did.

When the senses that contribute to the appeal of food diminish, it can result in less food intake, nutritional deficiencies, and overall poorer health outcomes. This highlights the importance of addressing sensory changes in older adults and finding ways to enhance their meals, perhaps through more appealing flavors or textures, to encourage adequate nutrition. On the other hand, the other options do not typically accompany aging, as metabolic rates generally decrease, caloric requirements stabilize or even reduce, and digestion efficiency tends to decline rather than enhance with age.