Individualizing recommendations for weight management in the elderly.
OBJECTIVE
This review provides current strategies for weight management in the elderly population as it can be different from young adults due to multiple factors: co-morbidities, polypharmacy, limitation of functional activities, social issues.


RESULTS
The recommendations for weight management for all age groups include exercise, diet, pharmacotherapy and surgery. In the elderly population, because of changes in age-related body composition, reduced energy requirement and expenditure, the standard young adult recommendations cannot be applied directly. The goal of weight management in the elderly differs from the young adult. The preferred method is maintenance of weight rather than aggressive weight loss with achieving a healthy, functional, and good quality of life.


CONCLUSIONS
The growing prevalence of obesity in the elderly population is becoming a major health problem and can affect functional status, can contribute to frailty and decline in activity, as well as worsening co-morbid medical problems. Practical recommendations for weight management in the elderly are challenging because of the obesity paradox in the elderly, and the lack of substantial research in this population. Individualized recommendations should be considered for elderly patients with a focus on the underlying medical problems, functional status and living environments.
Chau
Diane
D
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nevada School of Medicine, Reno, Nevada 89557, USA.
Cho
Lwin M
LM
Jani
Prashant
P
St Jeor
Sachiko T
ST
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism*; D001823:Body Composition / Q000502:physiology*; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology; D015897:Comorbidity; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000517:prevention & control; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology*