Losing body weight and fat later in life can lead to premature death and an increased risk for disability, according to Julio Cesar Moriguti and others, in the March 2001 issue of "Sao Paulo Medical Journal." In fact, the study reports that people should investigate a 5 percent weight loss in a span of 6 months in an elderly person. A number of different diseases and reasons can lead to rapid weight loss in seniors.
Alzheimer's Disease
According to "Senior Journal," rapid weight loss can occur in an elderly person suffering from Alzheimer's disease. In fact, "Senior Journal" reports that there may even be a doubling of weight loss in the year before the onset of Alzheimer's disease. According to Mortiguti, weight loss can be caused by an impaired olfactory or deficits in the ability to control appetite and satiety. In addition, as Alzheimer's progresses, seniors may lose the ability to feed themselves and even develop problems with swallowing such as dysphasia, which causes increased weight loss.
Depression
According to National Institute of Health, 35 million Americans are aged 65 and older and 2 million of those suffer from severe depression. Furthermore, the National Institute of Health also reports that another 5 million suffer from less severe types of depression. According to Melinda Smith, M.A., Robert Segal, M.A., and Jeanne Segal, Ph.D., in "Help Guide," if elderly people suffer from depression, they may skip meals and rapid weight loss may occur. This may happen because they lose interest in preparing or eating meals. "Help Guide" reports that the depressed elderly individual will lose motivation and lack energy to complete daily tasks such as prepare meals.
Poor Nutrition
As people age, they are sometimes unable to perform daily tasks, such as preparing nutritious meals. This occurs because of physical inability due to illness, injury, or lack of available caregiver. In addition, according to Moriguti, weight loss in seniors can result from poverty or having to make a choice between purchasing foods and paying for prescription medications. Senior men may be even more at risk for poor nutrition resulting in rapid weight loss because they are often not knowledgeable about how to shop properly or prepare a nutritious meal.
References
- Senior Journal: Study Finds Further Evidence of Rapid Weight Loss in Senior Citizens Before Alzheimer's: September 11, 2006
- Help Guide: Depression in Older Adults and the Elderly: Melinda smith, M.A, Robert Segal, M.A., and Jeanne Segal, Ph.D.
- National Institutes of Health: Depression
- Sao Paulo Medical Journal: Involuntary Weight Loss in Elderly Individuals: Assessment and Treatment: Julio Cesar Moriguti, Eny Kiyomi Uemura moriguti, Eduardo Ferriolli, Joao de Castilho Cacao, Nelson Iucif Junior, Julio Sergio Marchini: March, 2001
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