Why do old people lose weight

My father who is 84years old has recently been losing weight despite all the care he has been receiving. Kindly let me know what could be the reason for his weight loss.

 Abdul (by SMS)

After the age of 65, it’s typically normal to lose 0.2 to 0.4 pounds of body weight every year. As we age, people usually experience muscle atrophy, loss of bone density, and a reduction in liver and kidney cells. Additionally, the loss of tissue reduces the amount of water in the body. All of these can result in weight loss that may be noticeable, but not necessarily cause for alarm.  However, unintentional weight loss can be dangerous. Therefore, an elderly person that loses 5% or more of the body weight within a period of one to two months should see a doctor for a thorough medical examination.

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