title: Weight control and nutrition: knowing when to intervene.
abstract: The average weight of American adults is increasing, despite vast sums being spent on attempts at weight loss. Above-average weight in midlife is associated with increased morbidity and mortality as patients age. Nonetheless, there is confusion about what are "desirable" weight levels. Commonly-used actuarial tables do not account for the modest, normal weight gains seen at midlife; therefore, age-adjusted tables are recommended. Treatment of obesity, one of the most common malnutrition disorders, is difficult, requires a "chronic disease" approach, and should be considered in the context of other risks to health.
authors.affiliation: Department of Geriatrics and Adult Development, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, USA.
authors.forename: I L
authors.initials: IL
authors.lastname: Salom
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005853:Geriatrics; D006801:Humans; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D012952:Societies