Obesity and Aging

The obesity epidemic in aging populations poses significant public health concerns for greater morbidity and mortality risk. Age-related increased adiposity is multifactorial and often associated with reduced lean body mass . The criteria used to define obesity by body mass index in younger adults may not appropriately reflect age-related body composition changes. No consensus has been reached on the definition of sarcopenic obesity in older adults. Lifestyle interventions are generally recommended as initial therapy; however, these approaches have limitations in older adults. Similar benefits in older compared with younger adults are reported with pharmacotherapy, however, large randomized clinical trials in geriatric populations are lacking.