Losing Weight For The Older Person

It seems we spend most of our adult life battling the bulge wishing for an easy way to lose weight. But, for some older adults, unintentional weight loss causes medical problems. According to the American Family Physician , 16-28 percent of people experiencing unintended weight loss present with no easily identifiable cause.

Elderly people lose weight for many reasons. Natural changes in the body cause reductions in bone and muscle mass. But, rapid weight loss often has a more dynamic underlying cause. Understanding how certain illnesses affect weight, eating, and nutrition will help you create a diet plan to help your loved one.

According to the National Cancer Institute, advancing age is a very important risk factor for getting cancer. More than 40% of people reported unintended weight loss when diagnosed with cancer according to the American Society of Clinical Oncology. While cancer is by no means the only cause of unexplained weight loss there is a strong correlation between why elderly people lose weight and cancer. Cancer takes a bite out of physic for many reasons. Cancer cells may affect metabolism and impact the immune system.

Healthy Ways To Lose Weight As An Older Adult

Changes to the immune system or metabolism may affect the way food is processed and supplied to the body. People with cancer sometimes report nausea, vomiting, and loss of taste. This makes eating undesirable to some cancer patients which may contribute to unintended weight loss. Depending on the systems affected by cancer, constipation, nutrient absorption, swallowing, and mechanical breakdown of food may become compromised.

Dementia is the umbrella term for a constellation of illness that present with cognitive impairment including Alzheimer’s Disease. Changes in diet and weight are hallmark indications that mental processing may be affecting eating habits. Often, people who are experiencing mild cognitive impairment undergo subtle changes in diet. If you ask a loved one with mild cognitive impairment if she is hungry, she may say no. But, if you place a plate of yummy food infront of her she will dig right in. Sometimes people with dementia lose sensitivity to sensations of hunger and fatigue and must be cued to eat.

You can help your loved one stop unintended weight loss by giving food at appropriate meal times. Do not offer food. Your loved one may not recognize the need to eat. Take into consideration your loved one’s tastes and prepare to cater to them. People who experience cognitive change may also experience personality changes. Foods that were once adored might now be abhorred.

Weight Loss Challenge For Active Older Adults

Change food presentation. Changes in food perception affect what your loved one perceives as appetizing. Big plates of food might look abundant but can cause anxiety in someone with dementia. Some studies have shown that color plates improve overall food intake over plain white plates – you can’t eat what you can’t see.

Model eating behaviors. Dementia often interferes with a person’s ability to complete simple processes. Busy tables make distinguishing food more difficult. And, the use of a fork might become more complicated than your loved one can manage. Consider offering finger foods. To learn more about dementia specific weight loss click

When elderly people lose weight it is important to check with their doctor to ensure medications are not contributing to unintended weight loss. Medications have a myriad of side effects. Some medications act as appetite suppressants or affect the body’s ability to process nutrients. Interactions between medications can also affect a person’s weight. Medication side effects may also include swelling and fatigue. While these symptoms do not directly affect nutritional processes they may adversely affect a person’s ability to prepare and shop for food.

Weight Loss Change In Body Shape Associated With Increased Mortality Risk In Healthy Older Adults Study Jama Open Network

Depression may affect your loved one’s desire to engage in activity. People who experience depression often report a decrease in appetite. Elderly people lose weight unintentionally when they feel isolated. Your loved one may experience the loss of loved ones and independence. These emotional changes sometimes contribute to declines in food interest.

Pain impacts a person’s desire to engage in meals. If your loved one experiences pain, speak to her doctor about getting it under control. She may feel more interest in food if she doesn’t ache.

If you think your loved one’s weight loss stems from depression, loneliness, or pain, consider sharing mealtimes together daily. You can also hire a caregiver to prepare meals and offer companionship.

Steps To Take If Your Aging Parent Loses Weight Suddenly

Elderly People lose weight for a variety of reasons. You will need to be patient when encouraging more food intake. Underlying health, emotional, and cognitive issues make food consumption a lower priority or less efficient. Work with your loved one to find and create appetizing foods.Four years ago, Diane Naylor, now 63, retired, moved from Fresno to Oakhurst, California, and was excited about all of the new activities her new location afforded her: hiking paths, biking trails in Yosemite and a great climate for being outdoors.

I felt miserable and depressed because of my weight, Naylor recounted to . I wasn't active at all and I couldn't do all of the things I wanted to.

Naylor had tried to lose weight several times before, but always gave up when whatever diet she was on ended. She was feeling hopeless until an episode of the TV show Castle inspired her to give it another try.

Causes Of Elderly Involuntary Weight Loss

One of the medical examiners was telling the lead actress she should follow her dreams, Naylor said. He pointed to the corpses and said, 'All those people had dreams, but their time ran out, so don't let that happen to you.' It was like a light bulb went off — I had a lot of dreams, too, and I wanted to accomplish them.

The next day, Naylor started her weight-loss journey and hasn't looked back since. Here, she recounts the steps she took to lose 225 pounds, and offers advice for people in similar situations:

Don't put it off, Naylor warned. No one gets any younger, and the younger you are, the easier it is. I started at 59, which proves anyone can do it. Why start six months from now? Start !

Older Adults Live Longer With A Few Extra Pounds

Naylor started walking up and down her driveway. In the beginning, going to the mailbox was a challenge for her. Even though she felt unbalanced, like she was going to fall, she stuck with it. Once she lost 20 pounds (thanks to walking and a new eating plan), she started riding an indoor bike and taking longer walks around her neighborhood.

, she hikes 4-mile trails and does 20-30-mile bike rides with her niece. She doesn't stop moving until she hits 10, 000 steps a day. Naylor stressed it's all about starting small, and increasing your movement as you feel stronger.

Naylor joined the Taking Off Pounds Sensibly club, better known as TOPS, after she had lost 50 pounds on her own. The club provides accountability and constant support. Naylor attends meetings every Monday, and received calls, emails and letters of encouragement from other members when she first started.

Weight Loss In The Elderly: When Should You Be Concerned?

The Monday meetings help me keep myself in check during the weekends, when I'd be most likely to cheat, Naylor said. If you don't have access to a similar group — start one yourself! Find similar-minded people who will understand and support you.

I learned how to eat fish. I didn't care for it before, but I bought an air fryer which helped me cook it without the grease and I actually like the way it tastes, Naylor shared.

Before Naylor found TOPS, she had tried everything to lose weight, from Weight Watchers to Jenny Craig, and she always gained it back.

Weight Loss Exercises That Are Good For People Above 60

This time around, instead of viewing her lifestyle changes as a diet, she simply approached it as small changes for a healthier and longer life. She started eating more veggies, less junk and moved more.

You will hit weight-loss plateaus along the way — it's inevitable — but if you stick it out, you will continue to lose weight.

It might take six or eight weeks for the scale to move, but during that time, you'll see the inches coming off of your body, she explained and stressed the importance of not giving up!

Lose Fat And Retain Muscle: Weight Training Is Best For Older Adults

Candy, popcorn and ice cream are all still temptations for me. Staying healthy is a constant, every day decision, Naylor said. Sure, that can feel overwhelming, but she suggests looking at it as just one decision, one meal at a time, and stresses that you need to be consistent.

, Naylor says she's 63 going on 45 and feels amazing. She can take advantage of all of the fun outdoor activities in her neighborhood and is even getting into public speaking on behalf of TOPS, the weight-loss club. Her motto: If she can do it, so can you! Start small, and just get started — don't keep putting it off until Monday.Sudden weight loss in an elderly individual can indicate one or more factors is causing a decrease in appetite. It’s important to address a rapid decrease in weight because poor nutrition can affect all the body’s systems and make seniors more susceptible to infections and other serious health conditions. If you have an aging loved one who has