Can obesity in older people be successfully treated?

How not to confuse age-related changes and natural predisposition?

In his youth, a person prone to obesity resorts to exercise and dieting to maintain normal weight. With age, the body's metabolism decreases noticeably, which is why it is important for people over 40 to pay close attention to their metabolism. The body has a different attitude towards the energy extracted from foods and uses it to a lesser extent. And the older a person gets, the fewer and fewer calories he needs to maintain normal functioning.

How to deal with obesity in old age

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How to deal with obesity in old age
Currently, the problem of excess weight has become especially pressing among both young people and older people.

There are many and quite diverse reasons, but the fact remains that obesity has become one of the pressing problems of humanity. Don't be skeptical about this.

Statistically, older people are twice as likely to be obese than younger people. And the reasons are quite clear: the body tends to wear out, it cannot digest the same food and in the same volumes as before.

In addition, a decrease in physical activity with age does its job. A sedentary, lying down or sedentary lifestyle leads to the accumulation of fat in the body and a decrease in its productivity.

Approaching the definition, we note that obesity is the accumulation of adipose tissue and an increase in human body weight due to it.

Obesity is a disease with severe course and consequences

Causes of obesity

The circumstances leading to obesity vary widely. These can be both psychological (moral barriers) and physical factors.

The main causes of obesity are considered to be:

• Method of nutrition;
• Lifestyle;
• Diseases;
• Other.

Let's take a closer look at each of these reasons:

Poor nutrition

It’s probably safe to say that poor or unhealthy nutrition is the most common cause of obesity among those listed.

The nutrition of an elderly person should be given increased attention. Meals should be nutritious, satisfying, but balanced.

Consequences of obesity

It is better to eat easily digestible foods that do not overload the stomach. It is worth paying attention to products of plant origin - grains, legumes, herbs, vegetables and fruits.

You need to be careful with the latter, but you should definitely use them once or twice a day. Fried, heavily seasoned foods should be avoided. It is better to cook by steaming - this not only allows you to preserve the most beneficial properties of the product, but also promotes quick and easy absorption by the body.

Sedentary lifestyle

An equally important reason leading to weight loss is lifestyle. Older people are most often overweight for this reason.

Many of them are convinced that since their body is already weakened, they do not need physical exercise. However, this is far from the case. Physical activity is necessary just when the body weakens.

Physical exercise

Naturally, older people have obvious limitations in terms of an active lifestyle: muscles lose elasticity, and other reasons (illness, poor nutrition) take their toll.

In addition, many older people lead a sedentary lifestyle. In this case, it is necessary to load the body within normal limits - do simple physical exercises that are not exhausting, but stimulate and strengthen the body.

Diseases

Disease is an equally significant cause leading to the accumulation and deposition of fatty tissue. Many diseases disrupt the functioning of the most important human systems: excretory and digestive.

Diseases of organs such as kidneys, liver, and diseases of the gastrointestinal tract lead to malfunctions of the body and the accumulation of fat.

Other reasons

Other causes of obesity include genetic factors (predisposition to this disease), insufficient sleep, increased levels of stress that disrupt bowel function, as well as the use of alcohol, certain psychotropic substances, and so on.

Types of obesity

It is also worth considering that obesity can come in various types and forms. From severe forms that require serious treatment and medical intervention to milder ones that are no less dangerous, but more easily curable.

Scientists identify the following types of obesity:

1. Nutritional obesity;
2. Hypothalamic obesity;
3. Endocrine obesity.

Nutritional obesity

Nutritional obesity is, as a rule, a direct consequence of poor nutrition.

Nutritional obesity

This may include overeating or eating poorly digestible foods, as well as leading a sedentary or immobile lifestyle.

Endocrine obesity

Endocrine obesity develops due to diseases of the endocrine system. Most often this is a violation of the adrenal glands and thyroid gland.

Hypothalamic obesity

Hypothalamic obesity is characterized by impaired fat metabolism. The reasons for its violation are varied: from injuries to infections and poisoning.

This is a multifaceted disease, also accompanied by sleep disturbances, headaches, nausea, and so on.

Distribution of body fat and stages of obesity

The distribution of fat in the body occurs according to different criteria, both individual and generally accepted. The individual distribution is characterized by a person's body type: hourglass, triangle, apple and pear.

The generally accepted definition of fat accumulation indicates that fat accumulation primarily occurs in the pelvic area in women and in the abdominal area in men.

Figure shape

Next, the fat is distributed evenly, taking into account the individual characteristics of the elderly person’s body.

It is customary to distinguish the following stages of obesity depending on the amount of fat accumulated by the body:

• First (excess weight 10-29% of ideal weight);
• Second (30-49%);
• Third (50-99%);
• Fourth (more than 100%).

In the first stage, the amount of excess weight exceeds the norm by 10-29%. At this stage, treatment should begin: equalizing nutrition and increasing physical activity.

Further stages are more difficult to treat and lead to many consequences that make it difficult for the body to function and recover.

Weight diagnostics

There are various ways to determine weight. The most common, according to generally accepted opinion, is BMI.

BMI is the body mass index, it is calculated quite simply, taking into account both height and weight.

Body weight in kg divided by height, calculated in meters, squared

Calculation example: weight 80 kg, height 170 cm BMI = (80/1.7*1.7)=27.6

The classification of stages according to BMI is as follows:

There are also a huge number of online calculators that simplify calculations.

Obesity treatment

The most common types of obesity treatment are:

1. Diet;
2. Drug treatment;
3. Surgical intervention.

Diet

Diet is the safest and most optimal solution to the problem of obesity.

Proper nutrition

Properly selected nutrition in old age and physical activity can reduce weight to the desired level with the least harmful consequences for the body of an elderly person.

Drug treatment

Drug treatment is characterized by taking appropriate medications that reduce appetite or cause food rejection.

However, do not forget that any medicine has a number of side effects, in addition, their effect on the body can be the most unexpected.

Surgical intervention

Surgical intervention is the most dangerous, since no one is immune from doctors’ mistakes, plus external interference in the body’s functioning can lead to the most unexpected consequences, including disruption of the body’s functioning.

Conclusion

You need to be extremely careful when solving problems with excess weight, especially when it comes to older people and their weakened bodies. In addition to the psychological attitude of dissatisfaction with oneself, obesity also leads to many other consequences - the development of new diseases and the aggravation of old ones.

Excess weight increases the load on the joints and spinal and hip muscles, which leads to back pain. The joints and spinal column are affected. The intervertebral discs cannot withstand the load and are destroyed.

Radiculitis develops. Disturbance in the functioning of the spine - associated with every organ of our body - leads to irreversible consequences.

Therefore, you need to be extremely careful and monitor your weight - adhere to proper nutrition, diet and a healthy lifestyle. If problems arise, contact specialists immediately.

Two ways to improve metabolism

With age, excess weight can be corrected in two ways: review your diet, and also focus on training muscle mass. Remember that you have two enemies - the sofa and the potatoes. The less active you are in life, the more likely it is that obesity will only increase from year to year. And, of course, everything that was successfully burned by the body at the age of twenty is absolutely not suitable as a daily menu now. According to aging specialist Dr. Mark Mattson, lack of dietary adjustments and a sedentary lifestyle significantly slow down metabolism.

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Middle aged belly

In middle age, men tend to develop fat deposits around the waist. All the efforts made in the gym bring little benefit. The abdominal muscles can be very strong, and yet the waist and abdomen become larger.

Excess weight can be a result of stress. Adrenaline - the “fear hormone” - is produced in response to everyday stressful situations when driving a car, etc. The greater the stress, the more adrenaline is produced by the body.

One of the hormones produced by the adrenal glands, cortisol, leads to the accumulation of fat deposits in the waist area. And the more stress, the more cortisol is produced and the waist becomes wider. Can this be changed? Yes, in several ways: including stress-reducing nutrients in your diet, combining strength training with stretching exercises and daily relaxation. Yes, I need rest.

Key element of chemical change

Leptin, a hormone that has an anorexigenic effect and regulates metabolism after the age of 40, plays a key role in metabolism. It is this connection that tells the brain to stop eating when we are young. However, with age, chemical reactions slow down, and a person may not perceive signals of satiety, continuing to feel hungry even after eating a large portion of dinner. The not-so-good news is that obesity further blunts the effects of leptin. Thus, only bringing weight indicators back to normal makes it possible to improve metabolism in the human body after 40 years.

Healthy diet: lose 5 kg quickly

A diet for losing 5 kilograms begins with a review of your diet and increased physical activity.

Let's talk about healthy eating.

Healthy eating is the balance of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, minerals and vitamins in a person’s diet. You need to know that the content of animal fats should be kept to a minimum, since they lead to the deposition of unnecessary fats.

This is true for carbohydrates as well, but not for all. There are complex carbohydrates, which are found in meat and cereals, and there are simple ones - buns, candies and other sweets. So, for those who want to say that they have lost 5 kg or more, they need to give up simple carbohydrates.

Simple carbohydrates are extremely quickly broken down by the body and spent by it, while the energy of fat cells is not affected. If your body takes in too many simple carbohydrates, it will store them “for later.”

Giving up fried and fatty foods is a step towards the figure of your dreams. If you decide to lose weight, then you should pay attention to steamed, boiled, and stewed foods.

Diet: giving up the following foods will allow you to lose a few kilograms in a week:

• pork
• duck and goose meat
• pasta
• sugar
• potato
• white bread and pastries
• sweets
• coffee and alcohol
• fatty dairy and fermented milk products
• smoking if possible

What you need and can include in your diet:

• lean meats (chicken, turkey, beef, rabbit)
• buckwheat, pearl barley, rice
• lentils, peas
• white cabbage, onions, carrots, beets
• low-fat sour cream
• olive oil for salad dressing

Eating healthy by the hour and exercising will allow you to effortlessly lose a couple of extra pounds in a month.

It's okay to eat small meals

A middle-aged person does not need to torture himself with grueling diets. At this age, it is enough to simply reduce the usual portion by at least half. There is a psychological technique, using which a person replaces ordinary plates and mugs for eating with smaller ones. Thus, you don’t have to deny yourself anything and eat whatever you want, but make sure that your brain doesn’t send a signal asking for more. The familiar taste of food can bring joy, even if the portion is limited. You don’t have to eat a lot to enjoy it; it’s better to eat slowly.

How to get rid of fat at home

You need to understand that you won’t be able to lose excess weight quickly. In addition, losing weight in a short period of time can lead to health problems. Also, there are no magic remedies or pills whose manufacturers promise to lose extra pounds in a week or month without any effort. Don't believe such tricks.

You need to fight fat wisely. You will have to put in a lot of effort. First of all, review your diet and diet. It is also necessary to lead an active lifestyle, walk in the fresh air more often, especially when working sedentarily.

If you are unable to lose weight over a long period of time with regular exercise and diet, it is recommended that you consult a qualified doctor. Perhaps the problem lies in hormonal imbalance or in the development of chronic diseases.

There are several ways to get rid of fat deposits. Let's look at some of them in more detail. Also watch a video about types of fat:

By the way, the solution to the problem depends on the type of fat deposits. This must be taken into account.

Excess weight can cause dangerous diseases

Excess weight is synonymous with high levels of glucose in the blood, which leads to such a dangerous disease as diabetes. Having received one disease, an elderly person dooms himself to a whole bunch of various ailments, including cardiovascular diseases, as well as problems with vision, and in the long term, with the brain. In other words, the first step towards developing so-called age-related diseases is obesity.

Causes of abdominal enlargement

There are several reasons why body fat may increase with age. Many women believe that after a certain age it is impossible to solve this problem. But this is a misconception. This problem can be solved in a short time. To achieve positive results faster, you need to understand why the sides and belly appear.

Let us note the main reasons:

1. Hormonal changes. With the onset of menopause, dramatic changes occur in a woman's body. The body is not prepared for this, so estrogen production increases. As a result, fluid begins to accumulate in the tissues and muscles and the belly begins to grow.
2. Unhealthy food. At a young age, many girls do not suffer from obesity, even if they indulge in fried foods and sweets. But with age, metabolic processes slow down, so not all calories are burned. An unbalanced diet and junk food can not only lead to an increase in belly fat, but also to the development of various diseases. Therefore, it is important to monitor your diet.
3. Some types of pathologies. It is not uncommon for certain diseases to be a problem with excess fat. An increase in the percentage of visceral fat is observed in patients with hypertension and diabetes mellitus.
4. Bad habits. When alcohol and nicotine enter the body, it experiences severe stress, as a result of which it begins to store reserves in the form of fat so that the person can survive in unfavorable conditions. Therefore, even with a normal diet, problems with extra pounds begin to appear.
5. Inactive lifestyle. Many women have a sedentary job, and they prefer to spend their leisure time in a calm state; as a result, calories are not consumed, but appear in the form of age-related deposits.
6. Stress, genetic predisposition, and poor sleep may also be the cause.

Most often, fat deposits appear when several factors combine.

As soon as you notice unfavorable changes in your body, you should immediately take measures to prevent the situation from getting worse.

Treatment of obesity in older people

The most common types of treatment for obesity in older adults include:

• diet;
• treatment with medications;
• surgical intervention.

• Diet.

Diet is the safest and best solution to the problem of obesity in older people.

Proper nutrition and well-chosen physical exercise will help an elderly person lose weight, while minimizing risks to the body.

• Drug treatment.

During drug treatment, appropriate medications are prescribed that reduce appetite or cause food rejection.

However, each medicine has different side effects. In addition, in some cases, drugs can cause an allergic reaction.

• Surgical intervention.

Surgery is the most dangerous treatment for obesity in older people. Doctors, like all people, are not immune from mistakes. Moreover, surgery can cause unexpected consequences for the human body.

What does traditional medicine offer for weight loss?

Often people seek help from nature to lose weight with minimal negative effects on the body. All folk remedies for weight loss during menopause can be divided according to their effects into several groups:

• appetite suppressants;
• diuretics;
• laxatives;
• fat burning.

Plants such as corn silk, spirulina, flaxseeds, fennel, buckthorn, knotweed, and marshmallow roots effectively suppress appetite. Licorice root and chamomile are often used as diuretics. The following plants also remove excess fluid from the body: dill seeds, parsley root, horsetail, lingonberry leaf and cornflower. You can prepare various decoctions from them.

For example, an infusion prepared from cherry and linden leaves helps you lose weight. The method of preparing it is very simple. Collect and dry linden blossom and cherry leaves in advance, and buy St. John's wort and milk thistle at the pharmacy. Mix these ingredients this way:

• crushed cherry leaves - 2 tsp;
• linden blossom - 2 tsp;
• St. John's wort - 1 tsp;
• milk thistle - 1 tsp.

Pour 300 milliliters of boiling water over all ingredients. Divide the finished infusion into several servings. Drink it a little half an hour after each meal. A laxative effect can be achieved with the help of senna, caraway seeds, prunes, chicory root, birch leaves and caraway seeds.

But the following plants are famous for their fat-burning effect: agave, parsley, rose hips and ginger. Various drinks made with ginger are especially effective. For example, to make ginger tea, you need to grind its root, add it to the tea leaves and brew the drink using the usual method. If desired, you can add a little cinnamon, a couple of drops of lemon juice and a teaspoon of natural honey to the tea to improve its taste. Ready-made ginger powder can be flavored with various ready-made dishes to add dietary qualities to them.

To normalize weight during menopause, you can add phytoestrogens to your diet, which will help increase the amount of female hormones in the body. Soy contains a lot of phytoestrogen. This property is actively used in Asian countries, famous for the fact that local women retain their youth for a long time. But before you resort to any methods to help you lose weight, consult your doctor. It is better to observe this precaution in the case of other folk remedies, since many plants are allergens.

You need to be extremely careful with phytoestrogens, since their effect on the body of every woman during menopause can be unpredictable. Without first consulting your gynecologist, do not risk including these special foods in your menu.

Medications for weight loss

Some women do not believe that losing weight during menopause is possible only by changing their eating habits and increasing physical activity. The pharmaceutical market will gladly offer a wide variety of biologically active additives (BAS) at their service. But doctors strongly do not recommend purchasing such drugs on your own, which are available at any pharmacy without a prescription. There is a high risk that after using dietary supplements and other pharmaceuticals that promise rapid weight loss during menopause, the body will not be able to recover on its own due to a low metabolic rate. As a result, after stopping taking medications for the purpose of therapy, not only will it not be possible to lose weight, but even, on the contrary, the weight will rapidly increase.

Any medications during menopause should be prescribed by the attending physician and only after a detailed examination has been carried out. The doctor must see the real picture of how well all the organs and systems of your body are functioning before he decides to prescribe this or that drug. If you ignore this warning and voluntarily start using this or that medication, troubles such as:

• disruption of metabolic processes in the body;
• pathological disruptions in the gastrointestinal tract;
• changes in the psyche.

Talk to your doctor about using herbal weight loss products designed specifically for women going through menopause. Their main components are plants containing phytoestrogens. They prevent weight gain by replacing estrogens produced by the ovaries with phytoestrogens. The body ceases to experience a deficiency of female hormones and stops making reserve reserves of body fat. But the effect of medications in this group is possible only after long-term use.

Losing weight at the age of forty or fifty is not easy, and with the onset of menopause you will have to make even more efforts to do this. But nothing is impossible if you develop an effective weight loss complex that includes a reasonable diet, the right psychological attitude and regular sports training. Be sure to enlist the support of your doctor, who will be able to adjust your actions based on the results of a medical examination.