Treating chronic diseases without tackling excess adiposity promotes multimorbidity

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Metabolic Health
• Public Health

Background:

• The majority of elderly individuals manage multiple chronic conditions requiring extensive medical interventions.
• Excess adiposity (obesity) is a significant, yet often overlooked, contributor to chronic diseases and age-related symptoms.
• Weight management is infrequently addressed in clinical practice despite its potential impact on health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the under-researched impact of effective weight management on age- and weight-mediated symptoms.
• To advocate for increased research funding and proactive policy measures in obesity prevention and management.

Main Methods:

• This study is a review of current evidence regarding obesity, chronic conditions, and aging.
• It synthesizes existing research to connect excess adiposity with common geriatric symptoms and diseases.

Main Results:

• Progressive symptoms often attributed to aging, such as pain, fatigue, and breathlessness, can be linked to accumulated body fat.
• Obesity is associated with conditions like depression, potentially creating a cycle of health deterioration.
• There is a notable lack of research on how effective weight management influences these complex, age- and weight-mediated symptoms.

Conclusions:

• Policy makers must prioritize obesity prevention and management strategies.
• Increased research funding for effective weight management interventions is essential, comparable to funding for novel therapeutics for secondary chronic diseases.
• Addressing obesity can potentially alleviate significant healthcare demands associated with aging and chronic illness.