Obesity in people over 65

• There is a natural tendency for people to put weight on as they get older, part of the reason being that they are less active. Around 1 in 4 people over the age of 50 are considered obese.
• Body mass index is not a useful means of measuring obesity in the elderly. Waist circumference instead should be measured. In elderly individuals with excessive intra-abdominal fat (visceral obesity) and sarcopenia (where there is loss of muscle mass), there is the greatest risk of excess morbidity and mortality.

Reference: (Principles and Practice of Geriatric Medicine…. Pathy, Sinclair, Morley)

• The risk of Vascular and Alzheimer’s dementia is increased in obese elderly people because of the related complications of hypertension and Type 2 Diabetes compounding increased susceptibility.
• Persisting ageist attitudes to the elderly include the acceptance that they are more likely to have a poor diet and that they are not expected to exercise. Consequently, they may not be encouraged to change these important aspects of their lifestyle.
• The findings of a study (Korea, 2002) were that elderly obese patients were worse off (health-wise) than obese younger patients and non-obese older patients.

Amended April 2008