Why Weight Gain Happens With Aging

Physiologic Needs · Question from the ATI PN Fundamentals 2023 Proctored Exam study set

Correct answer: Decrease in muscle mass

Why this is the answer

Age-related sarcopenia (decreased muscle mass) lowers basal metabolic rate; if caloric intake remains the same, fat accumulation and weight gain typically follow.

The bigger concept

Expected physiologic changes of aging are a Fundamentals mainstay. Sarcopenia reduces lean mass, and because muscle burns more calories than fat at rest, basal metabolic rate falls; unchanged intake then produces weight gain and a higher body-fat percentage. Teaching for older adults emphasizes protein intake, resistance exercise, and adjusting portion sizes rather than simply eating less.

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