title: Obesity in older persons.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  There is an increasing number of reports suggesting that indicators of obesity for the general adult population may need to be modified; that the magnitude of risk is attenuated or that adiposity may even be protective; and that additional adverse outcomes specific to older persons need to be considered. Finally, there are benefits and adverse effects of weight loss programmes for older persons. This article reviews publications addressing these issues from 2013 to March 2014.
  
  
  RESULTS
  BMI was not considered to be as good an indicator of obesity because of loss of muscle mass with age. Higher body weight seems to be protective among older persons with chronic diseases or geriatric syndromes. Increased adiposity together with decreased muscle mass (sarcopenic obesity) is associated with adverse outcomes, although there is no consensus regarding the definition. Intentional weight loss has health benefits but is accompanied by muscle and bone loss, and therefore programmes should include components to counteract these changes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The magnitude of health risk associated with obesity is attenuated with age, and mild increase in adiposity may be beneficial for those who are frail and/or with chronic diseases. Weight loss programmes should include resistance exercises to counteract muscle loss.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine & Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Woo
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001842:Bone and Bones; D006801:Humans; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000473:pathology; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D065840:Protective Factors; D055948:Sarcopenia / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000502:physiology*