Intakes of cold cuts in the elderly are predicted by olfaction and mood, but not by flavor type or intensity of the products

Means to boost food intake of the elderly (n = 60, age range 61-86 years) varying in olfactory and mood status were studied during home-use of cold cuts. Enhancement group (n = 28) received regular smoked ham and smoked ham flavored with extra strong smoke aroma or with pepper mix, and Variety group (n = 32) received four different cold cuts: smoked ham, cooked ham, pepper ham and bologna. Both groups participated in two successive home-use periods, each over 6 days. Before and after home-use, the cold cuts were rated for odor and flavor intensity and liking, and in home-use only for liking. Cold cuts, 600 g per period, were to be consumed ad libitum, and the returned left-overs were weighed. Scandinavian Odor Identification Test and Profile of Mood States (bi-polar) were used in dividing subjects into normosmics and hyposmics (SOIT, cut-off score: 11) and into mood groups (POMS, depressed-elated, cut-off score: median). Enhancement group liked both the regular and the ham enhanced with pepper mix similarly, while added smoke aroma decreased liking. Regardless of the olfactory capabilities, the subjects > 74 years of age were less responsive to the flavor changes in their ratings than those aged 61-74 years. Poor olfactory status increased the intakes regardless of the flavor level or type of cold cuts. Path analysis suggested that in the Enhancement group, poor health, depressed mood and high age predicted a poor olfactory performance which, along with ratings of liking, increased the consumed amounts of cold cuts.