US Medical Term · symptoms
Poor Appetite
Falta de apetito
Also: Inapetencia (regional variant)
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Poor Appetite |
| Spanish (Español) | Falta de apetito |
| Chinese (中文) | 食慾不振 |
| Korean (한국어) | 식욕 부진 |
| Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Kém ăn |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | Mahina ang gana sa pagkain |
| Portuguese (Português) | Falta de apetite |
| Thai (ภาษาไทย) | เบื่ออาหาร |
| Japanese (日本語) | 食欲不振 |
What it means
Poor appetite, also called anorexia, means having little or no desire to eat. It commonly accompanies illnesses such as infections, digestive problems, cancer, chronic kidney disease, liver disorders, depression, anxiety, and thyroid conditions. Medications including chemotherapy, antibiotics, and certain pain relievers can also suppress appetite. In older adults, poor appetite can lead to weight loss and nutritional deficiencies. Short-term appetite loss during an illness is usually temporary. However, a persistent lack of appetite lasting more than a few days, especially with weight loss or other symptoms, should be discussed with a healthcare provider to identify the underlying cause.
How to say it
Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:
I have had no appetite and I am forcing myself to eat small amounts.
No he tenido apetito y me estoy obligando a comer pequeñas cantidades.
Food does not appeal to me and I often skip meals.
La comida no me atrae y a menudo me salto las comidas.
I have lost the desire to eat and I have been losing weight.
He perdido el deseo de comer y he estado perdiendo peso.
Where you'll see it
Related terms
Sources
Last reviewed: September 2026