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? asked in HealthDiet & Fitness · 2 months ago

Why do Old People lose weight fast?

I see many elderly people lose weight in my neighborhood and most of them can't even walk or exercsise or even go to the gym for that matter.

Is it they just stop eating altogether or is it their body shifting or getting smaller?

1 Answer

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  • ?
    Lv 7
    2 months ago

      As we age, our metabolism often drops, and as a result also amount of food we eat, also drop off. Also our general health plays a role, and whether or not medications are also required, which can bite into our budget, and what we can or can't afford to buy in the way of food. Many seniors will sacrifice food due to the costs of medications, due to the high co-pay required for some, and not all of the medications needed, has a low co-pay cost, as some it's the full cost. The cost of some of those run well over the three hundred dollar cost per month. So we will to cover the costs of the medicine needed sacrifice food, and even miss a dose here and there. However often as not, the weight loss isn't a rapid loss, but usually occurs over a period months and/or years.

      Our body's don't shrink per se though. What has happened over the years is that as we've grown older, is that the cartilage in the joints has either compressed, and/or it has eroded. Which is due to the wear and tear over the years. Once you get into your late sixties or seventies, although these things can start in the early mid sixties, you'll also be very likely to undergo the same changes, that are a part of the aging process.

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