When does age-related weight loss begin?
Declining levels of the sex hormones estrogen and testosterone may also account for weight loss changes, for men usually after the age 55. Women more often gain weight, then begin to lose it after age 65.
Obesity, insulin resistance and loss of muscle mass are all linked in an unhealthy circle where each factor, quite literally, feeds off the other.
When should you worry about weight loss?
You might become concerned when weight loss is unexpected. And if you’ve lost more than five percent of your weight in less than a year, you may want to check it out with your doctor.
What causes weight loss in the elderly?
For both men and women, the weight loss that occurs due to aging is, partially, because fat weighs less than muscle. So, when fat replaces lean muscle, the numbers on your bathroom scale go down. That may sound good if you’ve been on the heavy side, but losing muscle is not a good thing.
What happens when weight loss occurs due to muscle loss?
Muscles use up more calories than fat. Less muscle means a slower metabolism.
And, muscle loss also called muscle wasting, also leads to muscle weakness. You may experience marked weakness in one limb, and one arm or leg may even appear smaller than the other.
Aging, nerve damage, injuries, inactivity, and disease can also make movement difficult and lead to muscle atrophy.
Consider how stiffer joints, fewer leg muscles, and changes in body weight and shape can affect balance. It's easy to see how the risk of falls can spike as you age.