Challenges in the Management of Geriatric Obesity in High Risk Populations.
Abstract
The global prevalence of obesity in the older adult population is growing, an increasing
concern in both the developed and developing countries of the world. The study of
geriatric obesity and its management is a relatively new area of research, especially
pertaining to those with elevated health risks. This review characterizes the state
of science for this "fat and frail" population and identifies the many gaps in knowledge
where future study is urgently needed. In community dwelling older adults, opportunities
to improve both body weight and nutritional status are hampered by inadequate programs
to identify and treat obesity, but where support programs exist, there are proven
benefits. Nutritional status of the hospitalized older adult should be optimized to
overcome the stressors of chronic disease, acute illness, and/or surgery. The least
restrictive diets tailored to individual preferences while meeting each patient's
nutritional needs will facilitate the energy required for mobility, respiratory sufficiency,
immunocompentence, and wound healing. Complications of care due to obesity in the
nursing home setting, especially in those with advanced physical and mental disabilities,
are becoming more ubiquitous; in almost all of these situations, weight stability
is advocated, as some evidence links weight loss with increased mortality. High quality
interdisciplinary studies in a variety of settings are needed to identify standards
of care and effective treatments for the most vulnerable obese older adults.
Type
Journal articlePermalink
https://hdl.handle.net/10161/12724Published Version (Please cite this version)
10.3390/nu8050262Publication Info
Porter Starr, Kathryn N; McDonald, Shelley R; Weidner, Julia A; & Bales, Connie W (2016). Challenges in the Management of Geriatric Obesity in High Risk Populations. Nutrients, 8(5). 10.3390/nu8050262. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/10161/12724.This is constructed from limited available data and may be imprecise. To cite this
article, please review & use the official citation provided by the journal.
Collections
More Info
Show full item recordScholars@Duke
Connie Watkins Bales
Professor in Medicine
Research in our laboratory focuses on the role of nutrition (particularly vitamins
and minerals) in the prevention and management of chronic diseases in older adults.
Previous studies have concerned trace elements and cardiovascular disease, calcium
and osteoporosis, and renal synthesis of vitamin D as it relates to bone health.
Some of our newest work emphasizes the role of micronutrients as antioxidants and
their interaction with the aging process. We are also working on various aspect
Shelley R McDonald
Associate Professor of Medicine
Alphabetical list of authors with Scholars@Duke profiles.

Articles written by Duke faculty are made available through the campus open access policy. For more information see: Duke Open Access Policy
Rights for Collection: Scholarly Articles
Works are deposited here by their authors, and represent their research and opinions, not that of Duke University. Some materials and descriptions may include offensive content. More info