In older adults, what common body composition change is generally observed?

The answer is based on the common physiological changes that occur in body composition as individuals age. In older adults, one of the most prevalent changes is the loss of muscle mass, a condition known as sarcopenia. This process involves a gradual decline in both the size and number of muscle fibers, which can lead to reduced strength and physical function.

Sarcopenia is associated with a variety of factors, including hormonal changes, decreased physical activity, and changes in nutrition that can occur as people age. Consequently, older adults often experience a relative increase in body fat percentage as lean body mass decreases. This shift in body composition can have significant implications for health, mobility, and overall quality of life. Understanding this change is crucial for developing effective strategies in fitness and nutrition to help older adults maintain function and health.

The other choices hint at different outcomes that are not typically observed in older populations, such as an increase in lean body mass, which is contrary to sarcopenia. An increase in fat mass without loss of muscle is also less common because the loss of muscle typically accompanies an increase in fat mass as physical activity decreases. Lastly, a stable body composition with age is not supported by most research, which consistently indicates changes in muscle and fat