title: Weight Management in Older Adults.
abstract: As the number of older adults increases rapidly, the national epidemic of obesity is also affecting our aging population. This is particularly concerning given the numerous health risks and increased costs associated with this condition. Weight management is extremely important for older adults given the risks associated with abdominal adiposity, which is a typical fat redistribution during aging, and the prevalence of comorbid conditions in this age group. However, approaches to weight loss must be considered critically given the dangers of sarcopenia (a condition that occurs when muscle mass and quality are lost), the increased risk of hip fracture with weight loss, and the association between reduced mortality and increased BMI in older adults. This overview highlights the challenges and implications of measuring adiposity in older adults and the dangers and benefits of weight loss in this population and provides an overview of the new Medicare Obesity Benefit. In addition, we provide a summary of outcomes from successful weight loss interventions for older adults and discuss implications for advancing clinical practice.
authors.affiliation: Dartmouth Centers for Health and Aging, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA. lydia.gill@darmouth.edu.|Health Promotion Research Center at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, USA. lydia.gill@darmouth.edu.|Dartmouth Centers for Health and Aging, 46 Centerra Parkway, Lebanon, NH, 03766, USA. lydia.gill@darmouth.edu.
authors.forename: Lydia E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Gill
authors.affiliation: Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, USA. stephen.j.bartels@dartmouth.edu.|The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy & Clinical Practice, Lebanon, NH, USA. stephen.j.bartels@dartmouth.edu.|Dartmouth Centers for Health and Aging, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA. stephen.j.bartels@dartmouth.edu.|Health Promotion Research Center at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, USA. stephen.j.bartels@dartmouth.edu.|Dartmouth Centers for Health and Aging, 46 Centerra Parkway, Lebanon, NH, 03766, USA. stephen.j.bartels@dartmouth.edu.
authors.forename: Stephen J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Bartels
authors.affiliation: Section of General Internal Medicine, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, 1 Medical Center Drive, Lebanon, NH, 03756, USA. john.batsis@gmail.com.|Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, USA. john.batsis@gmail.com.|The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy & Clinical Practice, Lebanon, NH, USA. john.batsis@gmail.com.|Dartmouth Centers for Health and Aging, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA. john.batsis@gmail.com.|Health Promotion Research Center at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, USA. john.batsis@gmail.com.|Dartmouth Weight and Wellness Center, Lebanon, NH, USA. john.batsis@gmail.com.|Dartmouth Centers for Health and Aging, 46 Centerra Parkway, Lebanon, NH, 03766, USA. john.batsis@gmail.com.
authors.forename: John A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Batsis
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D001823:Body Composition / Q000502:physiology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D006801:Humans; D009765:Obesity / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*
keywords: Body fat; Body mass index; Geriatrics; Obesity; Weight loss