<![CDATA[Malnutrition in older adults was recognized as a common health problem associated with increased morbidity, mortality, physical decline, and reduced quality of life. This condition was influenced by various factors, particularly geriatric anorexia and polypharmacy, which were frequently found among the elderly population. This study aimed to analyze the risk factors of malnutrition in older adults with a focus on anorexia and polypharmacy using a PRISMA-based systematic literature review method. Articles were collected from Google Scholar, PubMed, ScienceDirect, and NCBI databases published between 2020-2026. A total of 20 national and international articles that met the inclusion criteria were analyzed descriptively and thematically. The findings showed that geriatric anorexia became a dominant factor contributing to inadequate energy and protein intake due to decreased appetite, chewing difficulties, tooth loss, xerostomia, and early satiety. Polypharmacy also contributed to malnutrition through medication side effects such as nausea, taste disturbances, and appetite loss. Other contributing factors included depression, chronic diseases, physical limitations, and socioeconomic conditions that worsened the nutritional status of older adults. Management of malnutrition in the elderly required a multidisciplinary approach through routine nutritional screening, medication monitoring, nutrition education, and family support to improve the quality of life of older adults.]]>
