In a groundbreaking study published in the Journal of Gerontology: Medical Sciences, researchers led by the University of California San Diego have found that maintaining a stable weight after age 60 could significantly increase women’s chances of living longer.
The study, which evaluated 54,437 postmenopausal women from the Women’s Health Initiative, reveals that older women who keep their weight steady have a 1.2 to 2 times higher likelihood of reaching an “exceptional” age of 90 or beyond, compared to those who experience a weight loss of 5% or more.
Key Findings: The Stats Speak
During the follow-up period, 30,647 women, representing 56% of the participants, survived to the age of 90 or older. Those who lost at least 5% of their body weight were considerably less likely to reach that milestone.
Specifically, women who unintentionally lost weight had a 51% lower chance of surviving to age 90.
Interestingly, gaining 5% or more weight compared to maintaining a stable weight did not show any significant association with exceptional longevity.
Weight and Well-being: A Nuanced Approach
The study’s lead author, Aladdin H. Shadyab, Ph.D., M.P.H., associate professor at the Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science at UC San Diego, points out the implications of the findings for healthcare recommendations.
“If aging women find themselves losing weight when they are not trying to lose weight, this could be a warning sign of ill health and a predictor of decreased longevity,” he says.
Furthermore, he notes that while it’s common for older women in the U.S. to experience overweight or obesity, the study supports stable weight as a goal for longevity in this demographic.
Heeding Medical Advice: Context Matters
However, the researchers caution that individual circumstances should not be ignored.
If healthcare providers recommend moderate weight loss to improve health or quality of life, these recommendations should be followed.
Significance and Future Research
This study is among the first to rigorously examine the link between weight change in older age and exceptional longevity.
It adds to the expanding body of research connecting weight fluctuation with mortality and raises important questions for healthcare providers and policymakers alike.
While maintaining a stable weight seems to be beneficial, individual health conditions and risks must also be considered in any health advice or treatment plan.
As the population continues to age and healthcare systems look for ways to improve life quality in older age, understanding the complex relationships between weight, health, and longevity will become increasingly important.
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The research findings can be found in the Journal of Gerontology: Medical Sciences.
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