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Aspects of food refusal in the elderly: The “hunger strike”
Author(s) -
Duggal Anita,
Lawrence Robert M.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
international journal of eating disorders
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.785
H-Index - 138
eISSN - 1098-108X
pISSN - 0276-3478
DOI - 10.1002/eat.1075
Subject(s) - anorectic , psychology , context (archaeology) , food intake , developmental psychology , social psychology , medicine , history , archaeology
Objective To present food refusal in old age as a means of attempting to control the outcome of intergenerational family conflicts. Method Two cases are described. Results Food refusal does not necessarily arise in the context of a classical eating disorder but may represent a form of protest, or hunger strike. Discussion Food refusal is seen as distinct from a pure anorectic pattern of behavior. It may be a separate psychobehavioral entity in old age. Behavioral methods may help to encourage a resolution by setting clear limits and encouraging patients to share responsibility in decision making. © 2001 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 30: 213–216, 2001.