Final answer:
The nutritional status of older adults can be negatively impacted by a slower metabolism due to a decline in basal metabolic rate, decreased sensitivity of taste buds, and less efficient digestion from reduced neurosensory feedback.
Step-by-step explanation:
Physiological and anatomical changes that negatively impact the nutritional status of older adults include several factors, but based on the provided options, the correct answer is slower metabolism. With aging, there is a decline in basal metabolic rate, which means the body expends fewer calories to maintain vital functions. This can lead to changes in body composition such as an increase in body fat percentage and a decrease in lean muscle mass.
Additionally, aging affects the digestive system, as taste buds become less sensitive and the efficiency of chewing, swallowing, and digestion decreases. The neurosensory feedback, which is crucial for stimulating enzyme and hormone release essential for digestion, also diminishes with age. All these changes can contribute to decreased appetite, difficulty in digesting food properly, and consequently, potential nutritional deficiencies or malnutrition.