Change The Way You Age By Losing Weight

A new study just poked a few holes in the mistaken belief that you can be healthy and overweight as you age. Now, I know this goes against all common sense, but there are people who believe carrying a few extra pounds when you are older is not harmful to your health… but this simply is not true.

Common sense

Researchers of the Chicago Healthy Ageing study found that people who are overweight or obese when they’re young (an average of 33 years of age in this study), and continue to gain weight as they age, pay for the price for it in their later years.

The data collected by the researchers showed that after four decades, the participants who were unable to bring their weight under control have far worse physical function than those who maintained a normal weight.

To measure physical function, the researchers looked at a few different factors including walking speed, time to rise from a seated position, standing balance, and grip strength.

Their results showed that the participants who were overweight and continued gaining weight over the years — 20 pounds or more — had significant worse physical performance scores when they reached an older age (an average of 71 years was used in this study). Those who were stubbornly overweight fared far worse.

They also performed far worse than the people who started off as overweight but then lost 10 pounds or more during the course of the study.

This means that by taking control of your weight, you can control the outcome of how you age. Being overweight or obese increases the risk of medical complications, lower quality of life, and hastened age-related decline.

However, the study also highlighted an important fact about extreme weight loss. Participants who were normal weight at a young age and lost a lot of weight also suffered in physical performance as they got older.

While the causes of extreme weight loss in these cases weren’t fully explored, it’s worthwhile to note that being underweight is also linked to frailty. Or it could be that weight loss in that group was due to illness.

The take home message from this study is clear: maintaining a healthy weight throughout your life is key to maintaining optimum physical function in old age.

We already know that obesity is at the heart of untold suffering in older age — increased risk of medical complications, lower quality of life, and hastened age-related decline. But this study shows us that weight problems that persist through adulthood have clear and serious impacts on physical abilities in old age.

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Disclaimer: Bear in mind the material contained in this article is provided for information purposes only. We are not addressing anyone’s personal situation. Please consult with your own physician before acting on any recommendations contained herein.

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Sources:

medscape.com/viewarticle/877063