Research summary
The number of adults over the age of 85 in Canada is growing quickly, and the rates of obesity in this population have risen sharply. But the health effects of obesity in this age group are not the same for everyone. Factors such as age, sex, race and ethnicity shape the risks of chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease and cancer.
As Canada Research Chair in Obesity and Aging Across Populations, Dr. Hailey Banack is exploring how obesity in later life relates to illness and death, how newer medications (such as GLP-1 receptor agonists) may improve outcomes, and how sarcopenic obesity (low muscle mass combined with obesity) affects disease risk. Drawing on data from Canada and other countries, she and her research team are identifying where disparities exist and how best to address them. Their goal is to improve the health of diverse groups of Canadians as they age.