A recent multi-institutional research effort, supported by the University of California San Diego, has shed light on the correlation between maintaining body weight beyond the age of 60 and achieving remarkable longevity, such as reaching the age milestones of 90, 95, or 100. The study, detailed in the Journal of Gerontology, indicates that women who kept their weight consistent after the age of 60 were notably more prone to attaining these advanced ages compared to those who experienced a weight loss of 5% or more. The findings underscore the potential impact of weight maintenance on extended life spans among older women.
Exploring the relationship between weight fluctuations in later life and remarkable longevity, researchers conducted an in-depth analysis involving 54,437 women participating in the Women’s Health Initiative—a prospective study aimed at understanding the origins of chronic diseases in postmenopausal women. The study observed that out of the participants, 30,647, or 56%, lived beyond the age of 90 during the follow-up period.
The research revealed that women who experienced a weight loss of 5% or more were less likely to achieve longer life spans compared to those who maintained their weight. Notably, women who unintentionally lost weight were found to be 51% less likely to reach the age of 90. In contrast, gaining 5% or more of body weight over a consistent range did not correlate with extraordinary longevity.
Aladdin H. Shadyab, PhD, M.P.H., the lead author and associate professor at the Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science at UC San Diego, emphasized the importance of stable weight in older women’s journey towards longevity. He stated, “Our findings support stable weight as a goal for longevity in older women. If ageing 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.”
The study’s findings challenge the conventional wisdom that general weight loss recommendations for older women necessarily lead to longer lives. The authors, however, caution that if specific instances arise where moderate weight loss is prescribed to enhance an individual’s health, women should diligently follow medical guidance.
