AACE MENA 2025-Obesity Management in the Elderly

Video Transcription

Video Summary

Dr. Khaoula Hatipoglu presented on obesity management in the elderly, focusing on the increasing prevalence and health burden of obesity in those aged 65 and above. Elderly patients often seek treatment for obesity-related complications rather than weight management itself, highlighting delayed intervention. The talk emphasized sarcopenic obesity—a condition of low muscle mass and excess fat—which exacerbates health risks through a vicious cycle of muscle loss and weight gain. Standard obesity definitions using BMI have limitations in the elderly due to muscle loss and fat redistribution. Treatment prioritizes lifestyle changes, especially resistance training combined with protein-rich diets, to preserve muscle during weight loss. Pharmacological treatments and bariatric surgery are considered on an individualized basis, with emerging evidence supporting their safety and efficacy in older adults. Overall, multimodal interventions tailored to the elderly can effectively address obesity while minimizing risks linked to sarcopenia and other age-related factors.

Keywords

obesity management

elderly patients

sarcopenic obesity

muscle loss

resistance training

bariatric surgery