1. Change Your Medication
Prevent a decrease in your appetite by avoiding medications whose well-documented side effects include a loss of interest in eating. Many types of antibiotics, antidepressants and birth-control pills can cause you to feel less hungry than you normally would. If you're already taking one of these drugs and are concerned about a decrease in your appetite, speak to your doctor about switching to another medicine.
2. Take Charge of Your Health
Be proactive with your overall health to prevent a situation in which you would begin to lose both your appetite and a significant amount of weight. Submit to regular screenings for diabetes, breast and colon cancer, all illnesses that may count loss of appetite as a symptom or side effect. Eat balanced meals and exercise to keep your heart and other vital organs healthy. If you think you might have an infection that is making you feel sick, don't let it linger. Have it checked out by your doctor as soon as possible, so your illness can be treated and troubling side effects, like a decreased appetite, can be avoided.
3. Recognize Signs of Depression
Recognize and treat the signs of depression--as well as self-esteem issues that could lead to anorexia or other eating disorders--to prevent further problems with appetite and weight. Psychological "baggage" can pile up and manifest itself physically in many ways. Some people may sleep a lot (or not much at all) when they have things on their minds. Other people may overeat or experience a lack of appetite. Destructive behavior can also be a sign that a person is going through a period of emotional turmoil. If you or a loved one is exhibiting any of these behaviors, speak to your doctor about getting a psychological evaluation. Treating your mind as well as your body can help prevent a wide range of physical ailments.
