Chapter 4 - Age- and obesity-related metabolic changes and their impact on the incidence of digestion, metabolism, and immune health

Abstract

Obesity has become an extremely important public health problem. Word Obesity Federation warns that in 2025 one in four people in the world may be overweight or obese. Increasing life expectancy means that the percentage of obese people is also increasing among the elderly. Aging is related to abdominal obesity especially, a major contributor to insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome. The improper diet, which is one of the reasons for obesity, leads to changes in the intestinal microbiome. These changes depend also on other factors such as age, lifestyle, and socio-economic status.