Considerations on the Weight Loss-Associated Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists for Older People

Obesity rates for older people have increased around the world¹ with rates tripling over the past four decades.² While previously considered a phenomenon of developed countries, the increased prevalence of obesity is now established in developing countries as well.³ Factors stimulating this epidemic include modifications in the global food supply chain, rise in consumption and availability of energy-dense, low-nutrient foods, sedentary occupations, expanding urbanization, changes in transportation means, as well as environmental components.³ The increasing prevalence of obesity in older people in the United States over time has been well documented by federal agencies. Over the time periods 1999-2002, 2003-2006, and 2007-2010, a linear increase in the prevalence of obesity among older men in all age groups was observed. The obesity prevalence among men 65 to 74 years of age increased from about 31.6% in 1999-2002 to 41.5% in 2007-2010. In men older than 74 years of age, obesity prevalence increased from 17.7% in 1999-2002 to 26.5% in 2007-2010. Of interest is that, in women, the change over the same time period was not statistically significant for the older age groups (40.3% obesity in 65- to 74-year-old women and 28.7% in women older than 74 years of age in the 2007-2010 analysis period).⁴.