Abstract
The prevalence of morbid obesity is rising progressively among elderly patients in the world. The incidence of obesity in Koreans, 60 years and older was 34.2% in 2012. Although there was no consensus on criteria for weight loss management in aged persons, it is clear that weight loss therapy improves metabolic syndrome, physical function and health-related quality of life in obese older persons. The current therapeutic tools available for weight management in older persons do not differ from those for weight management in general; 1) lifestyle intervention involving diet, physical activity, and behavior modification; 2) pharmacotherapy; and 3) surgery. Currently, bariatric surgery can be safely performed with low morbidity and mortality rates in obese older people. In addition, the elderly can lose clinically significant amounts of weight after bariatric surgery and significant weight reduction is associated with an improvement in obesity-related co-morbidities and an overall reduction in medication requirements. Patient selection for bariatric surgery should not be based on age alone.
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