Effects of Obesity on Physical Abilities and Daily Living Activities in Elderly Adults

Effects of Obesity on Physical Abilities and Daily Living Activities in Elderly Adults

Obesity is a significant health problem whose prevalence has tripled worldwide in the last fifty years, also involving older people. Older people present sarcopenia, characterized by the progressive loss of muscle mass and strength. Sarcopenia, accompanied by an increase in adipose tissue, causes a specific condition called sarcopenic obesity. The increase in adipose tissue and the decrease in muscle mass determines a reduction in strength and physical abilities necessary to perform everyday activities of daily living in obese older people.

To understand how the condition of excess adipose tissue influences the activities of daily living of older people with obesity, it is necessary to compare the physical abilities, body composition, and results of various motor skills with normal-weight subjects, corrected for sex and age.

Obese elderly:

Inclusion Criteria:

• Both sexes
• Body Mass Index > 35 kg/m2
• Age > 65 years
• Hospitalized for a 3-week integrated metabolic rehabilitation program

Exclusion Criteria:

• Absence of signed informed consent

Normal weight elderly:

Inclusion Criteria:

• Both sexes
• Body Mass Index 20-25 kg/m2
• Age > 65 years
• Attendance of healthy lifestyle program in their home town

Exclusion Criteria:

• Absence of signed informed consent