Oral Processing and Appetite in Older Adults

The goal of this observational study is to learn about changes in oral processing and appetite in older adults aged 65+ years old. The main question it aims to answer is if oral processing affects gastric emptying in older adults (≥65 years old).

Inclusion Criteria:65 years old or over (no upper age limit);each group will contain an equal number of male and female participants;living sufficiently local to attend the two visits needed;able to understand and communicate in English language.Exclusion Criteria:Diagnosed dysphagia;(recent) oral surgery that significantly affects eating and/or swallowing;diagnosis of type 1 or type 2 diabetes;participant undergoing current treatment for cancer;participants with zero natural teeth;severe loss of appetite and not able to finish a meal (based on CNAQ) and/or people on special or therapeutic diets that restrict the consumption of a full meal and/or the meals provided;not able to provide informed consent as defined by the T-CogS test (participants with T-CogS < 22 will be excluded);participants having a pacemaker;not able to accept the two meal dishes provided and/or relevant food/ingredient included in the meals allergies or intolerances or aversions;not able to feed themselves.