Nutrition experts warn of muscle loss risks in elderly and obesity treatments

At the first Multidisciplinary Nutrition City Meeting held at Giresun University, health experts discussed the critical relationship between nutrition, muscle loss, and aging. Organized by the Clinical Enteral and Parenteral Nutrition Association (KEPAN), the event brought together medical professionals from Giresun and surrounding provinces to address nutritional deficiencies in elderly patients.

Associate Professor Kubilay İşsever, an internal medicine specialist at Giresun Training and Research Hospital, emphasized that insufficient protein intake and a lack of physical activity can lead to significant muscle loss and subsequent functional impairment in older adults. He stressed the importance of early detection and intervention to maintain quality of life.

Experts also issued a warning regarding obesity treatments that focus solely on weight loss. They noted that such approaches can inadvertently cause a loss of muscle mass and strength. This phenomenon, known in medical literature as ‘sarcopenic obesity,’ can be deceptive, as an individual may appear overweight while actually possessing low muscle power and physical capacity. To combat this, specialists recommended a combination of adequate protein consumption and regular resistance exercises.