Obesity Prevention in Older Adults

Curr Obes Rep. 2016 Jun;5(2):166-75. doi: 10.1007/s13679-016-0213-z.

Abstract

The number of older adults living in the USA, 65 years of age and older, has been steadily increasing. Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 2007-2010, indicate that more than one-third of older adults, 65 years of age and older, were obese. With the increased rate of obesity in older adults, the purpose of this paper is to present research on different methods to prevent or manage obesity in older adults, namely dietary interventions, physical activity interventions, and a combination of dietary and physical activity interventions. In addition, research on community assistance programs in the prevention of obesity with aging will be discussed. Finally, data on federal programs for older adults will also be presented.

Keywords: Community assistance; Diet; Federal food programs; Obesity; Older adults; Physical activity.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Aging
  • Diet
  • Exercise
  • Geriatric Assessment
  • Health Services for the Aged*
  • Humans
  • Muscle, Skeletal / metabolism
  • Nutrition Surveys
  • Nutritional Status
  • Obesity / complications
  • Obesity / epidemiology
  • Obesity / prevention & control*
  • Prevalence
  • Primary Prevention / methods*
  • Risk Factors
  • Sarcopenia / complications
  • Sarcopenia / epidemiology
  • Sarcopenia / prevention & control
  • Sex Factors
  • Socioeconomic Factors