scholarly journals Unintentional weight loss in older adults

2011 ◽  
Vol 183 (4) ◽  
pp. 443-449 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Stajkovic ◽  
E. M. Aitken ◽  
J. Holroyd-Leduc
EDIS ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wendy Gans ◽  
Rachel L. Savelle ◽  
Nancy J. Gal ◽  
Wendy J. Dahl

Adults who are obese are often advised to lose weight to reduce the risk of chronic disease. However, the health benefits of weight loss change as we become older, and unintentional weight loss is linked to its own set of health risks. This new 3-page publication of the UF/IFAS Food Science and Human Nutrition Department discusses the risks and benefits of planned and unplanned weight loss for older adults. Written by Wendy Gans, Rachelle Savelle, Nancy J. Gal, and Wendy Dahl.https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fs401


2012 ◽  
Vol 30 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 9034-9034
Author(s):  
Arti Hurria ◽  
Molly Hardt ◽  
William P. Tew ◽  
Supriya Gupta Mohile ◽  
Cynthia Owusu ◽  
...  

9034 Background: Optimal treatment decision-making for older adults with advanced cancer requires a better understanding of risk factors associated with limited LE. Our objective was to evaluate the factors associated with LE< 3mo among patients (pts) age > 65 who were beginning a new chemo regimen. Methods: We conducted a secondary analysis of a multi-site cohort study of pts ≥65 years receiving chemo (Hurria et al, JCO 2011). This analysis included only pts receiving palliative chemo. Bivariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression were utilized to identify factors associated with LE < 3 mo including: sociodemographics, labs [hemoglobin (Hb), albumin, liver function, creatinine clearance], and geriatric assessment (GA) variables (functional status, social support, comorbidity, psychological, cognitive, and nutritional status). Results: Among 290 pts (median age 72 [range 65-91], 52% female) with advanced cancer (gastrointestinal 28%, lung 31%, breast/gyn 22%, other 19%), 13.4% died within 3 mo of chemo initiation. In bivariate analysis, pts with LE < 3mo were more likely (p<0.05 for each variable) to have lower albumin and Hb, unintentional weight loss, and poorer physical function [defined as need for assistance with instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), lower score on Medical Outcomes Survey (MOS) Physical Health, MD-rated and patient-rated Karnofsky performance status (KPS), and MOS Social Activity score]. Measures of functional status were highly correlated with one another and therefore one functional status measure (in addition to measures significant in bivariate analysis) was included in each multivariate logistic regression. In multivariate analyses, (controlling for age, comorbidity, and line of chemo) poorer physical function (as evaluated by need for assistance with IADLs, MOS Physical <70, or MD-rated KPS <70) and unintentional weight loss were independently associated with LE<3mo (p<0.05). Conclusions: Among older pts with advanced cancer who were prescribed a new chemo regimen for palliative intent, physical function measures (as evaluated by geriatric assessment and MD report) and unintentional weight loss were associated with LE < 3months.


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
C Pirkle ◽  
N Peltzer ◽  
S Câmara ◽  
J Gomes ◽  
A Ylli

Abstract Background Studies of the food security status of older adults are rare outside of the United States, especially in low- and middle-income settings. Food insecurity may contribute to disease and disability. Using a diverse sample of older adults, we examine the association of food insecurity with clinical and self-reported measures that are related to disease and impairment. Methods Cross sectional analysis of 1482 older adults from Kingston and St. Hyacinthe (Canada), Tirana (Albania), Manizales (Colombia), and Natal (Brazil). Outcome measures were Body Mass Index (BMI), waist circumference, and self-reported unintentional weight loss. Food insecurity was assessed with the 9-item Latin American and Caribbean Household Food Security Scale. Covariates were age, sex, study site, and education. Statistical analyses included Student's T-test, Chi-square test, and linear regression. Results 83% of participants were food secure; 12% experienced mild food insecurity and 5%, moderate/severe food insecurity. Among men, BMI and waist circumference varied significantly by food security status (p &lt; 0.05). Mean BMI among men with moderate/severe food insecurity was 25.5 compared to 27.0 for mild and 27.5 for no food insecurity. The pattern for waist circumference was similar (93.9cm for moderate/severe, 96.7cm for mild, and 98.9cm for no food insecurity). More food insecure men reported unintentional weight loss (13%) than food secure men (10%). This pattern was not observed among women. Statistical adjustment for study site, education, and age did not change the findings. Conclusions Significant differences in clinical indicators of disease were observed by food security status in men. At the extreme, low BMI and waist circumference are linked to increased risk of malnutrition, compromised immune function, and respiratory and digestive diseases. Differences in these measures by food security status emphasize the need for gender and age specific food security interventions. Key messages Food insecure men experience clinical indicators of disease significantly more than food insecure women. Successful food security interventions may require sex specific focus across global settings. Little research has been done on food insecurity in elderly outside of North America and study findings contribute to significant gap in sex specific research in this population across global settings.


MedEdPORTAL ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebekah Mulligan ◽  
Melissa Gilmer-Scott ◽  
Dana Kouchel ◽  
Davia Nickelson ◽  
Atousa Safavi ◽  
...  

2014 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
pp. 653-664 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Clara Moretto ◽  
Maria Inês Tadoni ◽  
Anita Liberalesso Neri ◽  
Maria Elena Guariento

Objective:The aim of this study was to describe relationships between self-reported diabetes mellitus and its treatment, according to demographic and socioeconomic data, as well as indicators of nutritional status in community-dwelling older adults.Methods:This is a population-based and a cross-sectional study derived from the multicentric survey "Frailty in Brazilian Elderly". The random sample consisted of 881 community-dwelling older adults aged 65 years and older from the city of Campinas. The self-reported variables were: age, gender, family income (minimum salaries), education (years of education); and absolute data (yes versusno) regarding unintentional weight loss and weight gain, diabetes, and its treatment. Anthropometric variables were collected by trained examiners following classic protocols. Body mass index was classified as: underweight <23; normal weight ≥23 and <28; overweight ≥28 and <30; and obesity ≥30. Waist-to-hip ratio, indicator of abdominal adiposity, was classified according the metabolic risk, for male and female, respectively: low 0.90-0.95 and 0.80-0.85; moderate 0.96-1.00 and 0.86-0.90; and high >1.00 and >0.90.Results:The variables most associated with diabetes were obesity (OR=2.19), abdominal adiposity (OR=2.97), and unintentional weight loss (OR=3.38). The lack of diabetes treatment was associated with advanced age (p=0.027), lower educational level (p=0.005), and low metabolic risk (p=0.004).Conclusion: Self-reported diabetes was associated with obesity but mostly with abdominal adiposity and unintentional weight loss. Not being treated for diabetes mellituswas associated with advanced age, lower levels of education, and lower abdominal adiposity.


2016 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 190-212 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tiago da S. Alexandre ◽  
Ligiana P. Corona ◽  
Tábatta R. P. Brito ◽  
Jair L. F. Santos ◽  
Yeda A. O. Duarte ◽  
...  

Objective: To analyze gender differences in incidence and determinants of the components of the frailty phenotype. Method: A total of 1,413 older adults were selected in 2006. To estimate the incidence of each frailty component, only individuals who did not exhibit a given component at baseline (independently of the presence of other components) were included in the study. The variables of interest were socioeconomic, behavioral, clinical, anthropometric factors and physical performance. The incidence of each component in 2010 was the outcome. Results: Unintentional weight loss and slowness were more incident in men up to 74 years of age. The other frailty components were more incident in women at all age groups, except weakness. Besides age, the determinants of incidence of the components of frailty were different between genders. Discussion: Strategies for preventing or delaying the installation of frailty need to address gender differences, considering the greater complexity in the network determinants among women.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S939-S939
Author(s):  
Mary Elizabeth Baugh ◽  
Olga R Ilkayeva ◽  
James R Bain ◽  
Michael J Muehlbauer ◽  
Megan M Marron ◽  
...  

Abstract In older adults, unintentional weight loss (UWL) is associated with poor outcomes, but its pathophysiology remains poorly understood. We sought to identify potential biomarkers of UWL using targeted metabolomics, including 8 conventional metabolites, 45 acylcarnitines, and 15 amino acids. We identified individuals from the Cardiovascular Health Study All Stars with UWL (n=40) or weight stability (WS; n=40) from Years 9 to 11. Participants had WS through Year 8. UWL was defined as experiencing &gt;6% weight loss from Years 9 to 11 and self-reporting that loss as unintentional. Mean plasma metabolite concentrations measured in Year 9 were compared between individuals with UWL or WS between Years 9 and 11. The strongest signals in metabolomic differences between individuals going on to experience UWL versus WS were observed among the branched-chain amino acids, valine (236.54 ± 54.43 vs. 215.79 ± 32.69 μM, 95%CI: -40.81, -0.70) and isoleucine/leucine (159.09 ± 36.53 vs. 142.75 ± 23.78 μM, 95%CI:-30.10, -2.59); lactate (1.23 ± 0.44 vs. 1.00 ± 0.57 μM, 95%CI: -0.45, -0.001); histidine (35.69 ± 5.33 vs. 38.62 ± 4.86 μM, 95%CI: 0.65, 5.20); the medium-chain acylcarnitine octenoyl carnitine (C8:1) (0.23 ± 0.10 vs. 0.29 ± 0.14 μM, 95%CI: 0.01, 0.12); and long-chain acylcarnitine myristoyl carnitine (C14) (0.04 ± 0.01 vs. 0.03 ± 0.01 μM, 95%CI: -0.01, -0.002). These findings suggest altered branched-chain amino acid and fatty acid metabolism and increased oxidative stress and inflammation may be evident before individuals undergo UWL. Further investigation of these pathways may reveal novel preventive or treatment strategies for UWL.


BMJ ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 342 (mar29 1) ◽  
pp. d1732-d1732 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. McMinn ◽  
C. Steel ◽  
A. Bowman

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