A new framework for safe, patient-centered prescribing of obesity medications in older adults

by American Geriatrics Society

edited by Sadie Harley, reviewed by Andrew Zinin

Sadie Harley

Scientific Editor

Meet our editorial team
Behind our editorial process

Andrew Zinin

Chief Editor

Meet our editorial team
Behind our editorial process Editors' notes

This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies. Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

fact-checked

peer-reviewed publication

trusted source

proofread

The GIST Add to Preferred Sources

The American Geriatrics Society (AGS) has released a new framework to assist clinicians in safely prescribing obesity medications in older adults. Organized around a series of cases, the framework offers a practical approach to prescribing obesity medications to older adults, including GLP-1 medications that act through gut-derived hormonal pathways.

While these medications offer promising benefits for weight management, glycemic control and other health conditions, older adults are underrepresented in clinical trials. The AGS framework emphasizes that clinicians should carefully consider age-related factors such as sarcopenia and frailty, risk of lean muscle loss, malnutrition and dehydration.

This new paper, developed by the AGS Healthy Aging Special Interest Group, discusses key considerations for the use of obesity medications in older adults.

The paper, published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, explores how to apply the Geriatrics 5Ms Framework (Mind, Mobility, Medications, Multicomplexity, and Matters Most) to incretin therapy in older adults.

The authors emphasize that safe prescribing requires pretreatment assessment of functional status, nutritional adequacy and cognitive impairment.

They recommend that treatment be paired with key co-interventions such as resistance training and adequate dietary protein intake. They note that for some older adults, a team-based approach involving a registered dietitian, physical therapist, fitness trainer and behavioral health professional may be most appropriate.

Publication details

Elias M. Wisdom et al., Obesity Medications in Older Adults: A Geriatrics 5Ms Framework for Safe and Patient‐Centered Prescribing, Journal of the American Geriatrics Society (2026). DOI: 10.1111/jgs.70769

Journal information: Journal of the American Geriatrics Society

Key medical concepts

Resistance TrainingSarcopeniaFrailty

Clinical categories

Geriatric palliative careWeight managementEndocrinologyHealthy aging Provided by American Geriatrics Society Who's behind this story?

Sadie Harley

BSc Life Sciences & Ecology. Microbiology lab background with pharmaceutical news experience in oil, gas, and renewable industries. Full profile →

Andrew Zinin

Master's in physics with research experience. Long-time science news enthusiast. Plays key role in Science X's editorial success. Full profile →

Citation: A new framework for safe, patient-centered prescribing of obesity medications in older adults (2026, October 30) retrieved 30 October 2026 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-10-framework-safe-patient-centered-obesity.html This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.