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Review
. 2015 Aug;31(3):311-26.
doi: 10.1016/j.cger.2015.04.001. Epub 2015 May 13.

Excessive Body Weight in Older Adults

Kathryn N Porter Starr  1 , Connie W Bales  2
Affiliations
Review

Excessive Body Weight in Older Adults

Kathryn N Porter Starr et al. Clin Geriatr Med. 2015 Aug.

Abstract

The health challenges prompted by obesity in the older adult population are poorly recognized and understudied. A defined treatment of geriatric obesity is difficult to establish, as it must take into account biological heterogeneity, age-related comorbidities, and functional limitations (sarcopenia/dynapenia). This retrospective article highlights the current understanding of the optimal body mass index (BMI) in later life, addressing appropriate recommendations based on BMI category, age, and health history. The findings of randomized control trials of weight loss/maintenance interventions help one to move closer to evidence-based and appropriately individualized recommendations for body weight management in older adults.

Keywords: Body mass index; Muscle mass; Obesity; Overweight; Physical function; Weight maintenance; Weight reduction.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Prevalence of obesity among adults aged 65 and over, by sex: United States 2007–2010 Source: CDC/NCHS, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2007–2010.[9]
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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