Obesity treatment, whether through diet, bariatric surgery or drugs, has the disadvantage that it leads to muscle loss, which can have adverse effects, particularly among the elderly.
The New York Times (NYT) and Healthline have written articles about the adverse consequences of obesity treatment, and we pass on some of the messages from their articles.
No matter how we lose weight, whether it is by limiting food intake, by bariatric surgery, or by using the new obesity-reducing drugs such as semaglutide, for most it involves muscle loss – a gradual reduction in muscle mass, strength, and function. This particularly applies to older people. And the more muscle older people lose, the higher the risk of becoming frail and falling and sustaining broken bones – which can have serious consequences in the oldest age groups. That is why it is so important that older people maintain their muscle mass so that they can remain mobile and independent.
However, we know that the elderly are more prone to side effects from the digestive tract in the form of nausea and vomiting than younger people, which affects the absorption of nutrients. In addition, lethargy is a side effect that is more frequent in the elderly, and blood pressure can drop, increasing the risk of dizziness and falls. People with osteoporosis, a condition most pronounced among the elderly, may be particularly vulnerable to the use of such medications. The combination of increased bone fragility and increased risk of falling makes them a particularly vulnerable risk group.
How can we counteract these consequences of obesity treatment? Experts say that older people who lose weight must carry out strength training and have a satisfactory intake of proteins 7 to prevent muscle wasting.
Perhaps we also have to change our attitudes about our weight as we get older. Many people dream of and imagine that they will become as slim as when they were 20, which has its price as described, and which can be dangerous to your health when you are 75.
It must be added that experts and studies do not fully agree on the significance of the marked weight reduction on the loss of muscle mass and health risks. Some experts believe that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.
