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The Prevalence Of Obesity Among Individuals 65 Years Old And Above

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Obesity among individuals 65 years old and above is notably on the rise. Ogden, Carroll, Fryar and Flegal, (2015) affirmed the prevalence of obesity in older adults aged 60 and over (37.0%) was higher than among younger adults aged 20–39 (32.3%) (p. 2). In a randomized controlled trial done by Villareal et al., (2011) pointed out “obesity exacerbates the age-related decline in physical function” which corresponds to a surge in skilled nursing home [SNF] admission secondary to frailty and inability to care for themselves (p. 1219). Because people who are considered obese and elderly are at higher disk of functional decline, the physical therapist [PT] should possess basic knowledge on nutritional wellness to educate and promote health and overall wellness in this particular population.

For this reason, a physical therapist [PT] that earned a doctorate title is “oftentimes viewed as nutritional experts or role models” (Fair, 2011, p. 67). The PT plays a role to advocate for health promotion, disease prevention and wellness. They can often be educator providing “evidence-based educational resources on nutrition”, distribution of food intake patterns, and education framework on healthier food options (Morris, Kitchin, & Clark, 2009, p.414).
By the same token, PT’s are highly encouraged to provide screening for nutrition deficiency of under weight adults 60 years and older, using appropriate nutrition screen tool that is straightforward, “cost-effective, and precise” (Holmes

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