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A new way forward for managing obesity in older adults?
A new seven-point strategy for better managing obesity in the care of older adults has been set out by the Gerontological Society of America (GSA).
Their aim is to remove the barriers to quality care caused by obesity; with education, attention to language usage and focus on the care environment among the areas covered.
The GSA outlined the recommendations at its annual summit in Washington this week, and in a new publication, “Bringing Obesity Management to the Forefront of Care for Older Adults.”
GSA member John A. Batsis, from the University of North Carolina, said: “Obesity is now recognised as a chronic disease requiring lifelong therapy to correct abnormalities in a complex interplay of genetics, gastrointestinal and pancreatic hormones, gut-brain signaling, the environment, and socioeconomic factors.”
Moreover, he added that older adults are particularly vulnerable to the negative consequences of overweight and obesity.
Fellow GSA member Kathryn N. Porter Starr, from Duke University, said: “Older adults should be cared for by an inter-professional team during the weight loss process to ensure that the clinical goals are achieved without compromising overall health or other conditions.
“Patients may need long-term contact with registered dietitians, exercise physiologists, physical and/or occupational therapists, social workers, pharmacists, and other involved members of the health care team.”
The seven strategies to address barriers to quality obesity care for older adults are:
- Inform and educate about obesity as a chronic disease, requiring care across the lifespan.
- Address weight bias and stigma among health providers and the public.
- Use person-first language when referring to someone who has obesity.
- Respect and honor cultural considerations about body size.
- Engineer environments of care to accommodate people of all body sizes.
- Ensure access to the full range of care for older adults with obesity: diet, exercise, behavioral modification, and medical and surgical interventions.
- Incorporate an inter-professional, evidence-based approach to caring for older adults who have obesity.
The GSA summit was attended by researchers, clinicians, and representatives from a variety of communities of interest including advocacy organisations and professional societies.