Severe eating disorder initially diagnosed in a 72-year-old man

Objective: Eating disorders in our society mainly affect young women. Cases in males are far less common, and reported cases in elderly males are rare. Method: We report the case of 72-year-old male admitted to a geriatric psychiatry service for grave passive neglect with mild dementia thought to be due to nutritional deficiency. Results: The patient was found to have an eating disorder not otherwise specified, most closely resembling anorexia nervosa, which was believed to be the cause of the nutritional problem. Conclusion: This case highlights the need for diagnostic awareness regarding eating disorders in patients of all ages and of both genders. (C) 2008 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.