John Wilson is a 74-year-old retired schoolteacher. He is 5'8" tall and weighs 136 pounds. His wife died nine months ago. During a routine visit to the doctor, it was noted that his weight had decreased 21 pounds since his visit a year ago. Mr. Wilson does not have any medical problems, though he does report feeling depressed and lonely. The physician ordered a panel of lab tests including hemoglobin, hematocrit, and albumin, which all were low. A healthy BMI for a man his height is 24.
The most likely cause of Mr. Wilson's weight loss is:

Question

John Wilson is a 74-year-old retired schoolteacher. He is 5'8" tall and weighs 136 pounds. His wife died nine months ago. During a routine visit to the doctor, it was noted that his weight had decreased 21 pounds since his visit a year ago. Mr. Wilson does not have any medical problems, though he does report feeling depressed and lonely. The physician ordered a panel of lab tests including hemoglobin, hematocrit, and albumin, which all were low.  A healthy BMI for a man his height is 24.
The most likely cause of Mr. Wilson's weight loss is:

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Mr. Wilson's weight loss is most likely due to depression and loneliness following the death of his spouse. The low levels of hemoglobin, hematocrit, and albumin are likely a result of poor nutrition and decreased intake of food. Inadequate income or lack of knowledge about nutrition are possible contributing factors, but given the context of Mr. Wilson's situation, depression and loneliness are the most likely causes. Physical activity is not a likely cause, as Mr. Wilson is a retired schoolteacher and does not report any high level of activity. A low hemoglobin level may be a result of poor nutrition, but it is not the primary cause of the weight loss.

John Wilson Is a 74-Year-Old Retired Schoolteacher