Despite their best efforts, many older adults struggle to maintain a healthy weight due to changes in the body.
Fluctuations in hormone levels, metabolism, muscle mass and lifestyle all contribute to weight gain, with the average person gaining about one to two pounds per year during adulthood.
“An individual’s metabolism slows down naturally with age, with the body burning fewer calories at rest and during physical activity,” says Chris Casso, MD, FAAFP, DABOM, a family medicine physician with STHS Clinics. “There’s also a gradual loss of muscle mass, which further reduces an individual’s metabolic rate, as well as a decline in hormones like estrogen and testosterone that often results in an increase in abdominal fat. To make matters worse, lifestyle factors like reduced physical activity, changes in diet and certain medications can contribute to weight gain as we grow older.”
In the United States, about 40% of adults aged 65 and older are considered obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, with the prevalence of obesity among older adults nearly doubling since 1988.
Unfortunately, excess weight in older adults can significantly increase the risk of chronic health problems like heart disease, type 2 diabetes and osteoarthritis, as well as result in serious mobility issues and a lower quality of life.
“Carrying excess weight, especially in our golden years, causes strain on the joints, worsens balance and can lead to falls and reduced independence,” says Dr. Casso. “The combination of obesity and age-related muscle loss, known as sarcopenic obesity, creates a higher risk of functional decline.”
To educate older adults in the Rio Grande Valley on weight gain and its impact on quality of life as we age, STHS and Prominence Health are joining forces to host the latest installment of their popular Senior Living Seminar Series on Friday, December 5, 2025. Entitled “Living with Weight Gain,” the seminar will highlight the common causes of weight gain in older adults and complications associated with excess weight.
Held in the Texas Room at STHS Edinburg from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., the event will feature a healthcare professional with STHS highlighting effective strategies to help battle the bulge.
Additionally, the event will include healthy cooking and exercise demonstrations since diet and exercise play a vital role in maintaining a healthy weight.
During the seminar, attendees can take part in a community health fair featuring level-of-care assessments to determine the best level of care for you and your loved ones, including blood pressure and glucose checks.
For more information, and to register for this free event, please contact Veronica Galligan at 956-821-9569 or by email at Veronica.Galligan@uhsinc.com
Who: South Texas Health System & Prominence Health
What: Senior Living Seminar Series: Living with Weight Gain
When: Friday, December 5, 2025, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Where: Texas Room South Texas Health System Edinburg 1102 W. Trenton Rd. Edinburg, TX. 78539
About South Texas Health System
South Texas Health System is a multi-facility healthcare system serving patients throughout the Rio Grande Valley. The system includes four acute care facility campuses with specialties in pediatrics, heart and vascular services, maternity and women’s health and trauma services. Inpatient and outpatient treatment for behavioral health needs and addictive disorders is also provided through the system's South Texas Health System Behavioral facility. South Texas Health System is affiliated with the South Texas Clinical Partners ACO, Prominence Health Plan, and Cornerstone Regional Hospital. The system operates an advanced Level I Trauma Center at South Texas Health System McAllen, the first freestanding children’s facility and pediatric ER at South Texas Health System Children’s, the region’s only freestanding heart hospital and specialized cardiac ER at South Texas Health System Heart, and seven freestanding emergency rooms located in and around Weslaco, Mission, Edinburg, McAllen, Pharr and Alamo. For more information about the system and its comprehensive services, please visit www.southtexashealthsystem.com.
About Prominence Health
Prominence Health began in 1993 as a health maintenance organization (HMO) and became a subsidiary of Universal Health Services, Inc. (UHS) in 2014. They provide coverage to more than 60,000 fully insured, self-funded and Medicare Advantage members throughout Nevada and parts of Texas. Prominence operates seven Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) in California, Florida, Nevada, South Carolina, Texas and Washington D.C., which are managed care systems that benefit communities by providing coordinated, high-quality care to Medicare patients. For more information about Prominence Health, visit ProminenceHealthPlan.com or ProminenceMedicare.com.
