Dr. Jérémie Huet, a geriatrician at the Nantes University Hospital and secretary of the Association of Young Geriatricians (AJG), explains that while older people may feel colder, this is not solely due to aging. The sensitivity to cold can be influenced by factors such as reduced physical activity, loss of muscle mass, and changes in health status. According to Dr. Huet, muscles play a crucial role in heat production, and a decrease in muscle mass, which can lead to a condition called sarcopenia, can reduce the body's ability to produce heat. However, he emphasizes that age alone is not enough to explain why an older person feels colder, and that maintaining physical activity can help preserve muscle mass and reduce sensitivity to cold. Dr. Huet also highlights the importance of distinguishing between naturally thin individuals and those who experience weight loss as they age. Weight loss can result in a decrease in both thermal insulation and the ability to produce heat. He warns against normalizing unintentional weight loss in older adults, as it can be a sign of underlying health issues such as hypothyroidism, anemia, infection, malnutrition, or a significant decrease in physical activity. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends 150 to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week, 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous activity, or an equivalent combination, along with muscle-strengthening exercises at least two days per week. However, Dr. Huet notes that even light physical activity can be beneficial for older individuals who are not very active. If an older person experiences a new or unusual sensitivity to cold, it should be investigated, especially if accompanied by other changes such as weight loss, loss of appetite, unusual fatigue, decreased physical activity, loss of strength, pallor, or shortness of breath. Sensitivity to cold is not a disease in itself but can be a signal to seek medical or nutritional evaluation. To feel less cold as one ages, covering oneself sufficiently remains essential when it is cold. In the long term, preserving muscle mass and physical activity through habits such as regular walking, avoiding long periods of sitting, continuing to perform daily activities, getting up regularly when watching television, practicing adapted muscle-strengthening exercises, maintaining a sufficiently rich and balanced diet, and monitoring possible unintentional weight loss is recommended.