16 Oct ObesityWeek23: Study Suggests Persons with Obesity at Greatest Risk are Receiving Medications They Need
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Dr. Batsis
John A. Batsis, MD, FACP, AGSF, FGSA, FTOS
Associate Professor
Division of Geriatric Medicine, School of Medicine
Department of Nutrition, The Gillings School of Global Public Health
Chapel Hill, NC 27599
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: The rationale for this study is that there has been a flurry of new medications that have been approved for the treatment of obesity in older adults.
MedicalResearch.com: What are the main findings?
Response: Our main findings are that the rates of weight loss promoting (WLP) medications (those that are prescribed for weight loss or have evidence that lead to significant weight loss) are rising and that there is a robust association between the rates of limitations (physical limitations, instrumental activities of daily living, and basic activities of daily living) and the use of weight loss promoting medications.
In those persons with obesity, older adults taking weight loss promoting have higher rates of being of physical limitations.
MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?
Response: It may be that those persons with obesity at greatest risk are receiving the medications they need.
MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a results of this study?
Response: This is a cross-sectional study and hence one cannot infer causality – they are just associations. We need longitudinal data to determine whether this has an impact on limitations. We also need to better understand why some persons are being prescribed and others are not being prescribed such medications. Lastly, we need to ensure safety of these medications in this age group.
MedicalResearch.com: Is there anything else you would like to add? Any disclosures?
Response: The treatment of older adults with obesity merits careful consideration – there are considerable nuances that clinicians need to be considered and that it is critically important to know these – including the balance of losing fat while maintaining muscle mass and strength
Citation:
ObesityWeek 2023 abstract:
Use of Weight Loss Promoting Medications and Impairments in Physical Function in Older Adults
John A. Batsis, MD, FTOS, Director of Diabesity Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel H, Hyunjo Park, MS, Joshua Niznik, PharmD, PhD, Danae C. Gross, MS, RDN, LDN, CNSC, David H. Lynch, MD, Hillary Spangler, MD, Todd A. Mackenzie, PhD
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