PubMed Searching for Home Care Clinicians

Abstract

In 2005, 35 million Americans were older than 65. This age group is projected to double by 2030, when one in every five Americans will be aged 65 or older. Chronic diseases disproportionately affect older adults andare associated with disability, diminished quality of life, and increased costs for healthcare and long-term care. Compounding this problem is the current obesity epidemic among older adults. The prevalence of obesity and overweight status among older adults has increased markedly in recent years. According to the 2005—2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 68.6% of adults aged 60 years and older were overweight or obese and 30.5% were obese, up from 60.1% and 22.2%, respectively, compared to the NHANES from 1998 to 1994. Obesity is a known risk factor for type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, and certain forms of cancer. The effect this growing problem with obesity among the elderly has on our healthcare system is far-reaching. Below are the summaries of four research studies related to obesity or weight management in the older population. The first study examines the independent relationship that body mass index (BMI) and abdominal obesity have with functional disability after controlling for other comorbid conditions and risk factors. The second article is a literature review that covers the effect of obesity on health and intervention recommendations. The third and fourth article summaries present overviews of diet and physical activity interventions; one targeted to older cancer survivors and the other to those with high blood pressure. For additional details, we suggest the reader go to the original articles.