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Is obesity bad for older persons? A systematic review of the pros and cons of weight reduction in later life.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Bales, CW; Buhr, G
Published in: J Am Med Dir Assoc
June 2008

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this review was to describe the characteristics of late-life obesity, including prevalence, pathophysiology, and influences on morbidity and mortality. A second objective was to systematically review the empiric evidence on the effects of intentional weight loss interventions in older individuals. DESIGN: We summarized the characteristics and known impact of late-life obesity and conducted a systematic review of the outcomes of weight loss interventions in obese older subjects. The inclusion criteria for the review were the following: randomized controlled trial; subjects aged 60 years or older; baseline BMI 27 or higher; weight loss versus baseline 3% or more or 2 kg; and trial duration 6 months or longer. RESULTS: The search strategy yielded 16 articles on weight loss interventions that were examined in detail. Overall, these interventions led to significant benefits for those with osteoarthritis, coronary heart disease, and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM-2), while having slightly negative effects on bone mineral density and lean body mass. CONCLUSION: Longitudinal trials examining mortality and body weight suggest that maintaining weight is beneficial in older persons who become obese after age 65; in contrast, intervention trials show clinically important benefits of weight reduction with regard to osteoarthritis, physical function, and possibly DM-2 and coronary heart disease. Given these findings, we recommend that decisions about whether or not to institute a weight loss intervention for obese older persons be carefully considered on an individualized basis with special attention to the weight history and the medical conditions of each individual.

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Published In

J Am Med Dir Assoc

DOI

EISSN

1538-9375

Publication Date

June 2008

Volume

9

Issue

5

Start / End Page

302 / 312

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Weight Loss
  • Obesity
  • Middle Aged
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Humans
  • Geriatrics
  • Evidence-Based Medicine
  • Aged
  • Adult
  • 4206 Public health
 

Citation

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ICMJE
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Bales, C. W., & Buhr, G. (2008). Is obesity bad for older persons? A systematic review of the pros and cons of weight reduction in later life. J Am Med Dir Assoc, 9(5), 302–312. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jamda.2008.01.006
Bales, Connie W., and Gwendolen Buhr. “Is obesity bad for older persons? A systematic review of the pros and cons of weight reduction in later life.J Am Med Dir Assoc 9, no. 5 (June 2008): 302–12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jamda.2008.01.006.
Bales, Connie W., and Gwendolen Buhr. “Is obesity bad for older persons? A systematic review of the pros and cons of weight reduction in later life.J Am Med Dir Assoc, vol. 9, no. 5, June 2008, pp. 302–12. Pubmed, doi:10.1016/j.jamda.2008.01.006.
Journal cover image

Published In

J Am Med Dir Assoc

DOI

EISSN

1538-9375

Publication Date

June 2008

Volume

9

Issue

5

Start / End Page

302 / 312

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Weight Loss
  • Obesity
  • Middle Aged
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Humans
  • Geriatrics
  • Evidence-Based Medicine
  • Aged
  • Adult
  • 4206 Public health