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A recent study has concluded that maintaining a stable weight in women over 60 can significantly increase their chances of living to 90 and even 100 years old. Researchers also noted that weight loss in later life can actually hinder the goal of exceptional longevity. However, experts emphasized that women should still follow medical advice when weight loss is recommended to improve their health or quality of life.
Stable Weight for Exceptional Longevity
As we know, supercentenarians live significantly longer than the average lifespan of most people. It’s not uncommon for them to reach ages of 100 years or more. Genetic factors and lifestyle choices, such as healthy eating, regular exercise, and avoiding smoking, along with a positive mental attitude, are believed to contribute to achieving exceptional longevity. However, scientists have discovered another method for attaining a much longer life.
The recent study focused on data from over 54,000 women aged 60 and older. All participants were part of a prospective study examining the causes of chronic diseases in postmenopausal women.
Researchers compared participants who maintained a stable weight over three years with those who lost at least 5% of their weight. During the observation period, more than 30,000 women, or 56% of the participants, lived to be 90 years old or older.
The comprehensive study showed that older women with more stable weights had 1.2 to 2 times greater chances of achieving exceptional longevity compared to those who lost 5% or more of their weight. Researchers found that participants who lost weight had a 38% lower chance of reaching 100 years, a 33% lower chance of reaching 90 years, and a 35% lower chance of reaching 95 years. When experts examined individual groups, the results were similar among women with overweight, obesity, or normal weight.
Weight Loss Does Not Promote Exceptional Longevity
As noted by Earth, the study also showed that women who intentionally lost weight had a 51% lower chance of living to 90 years. Among this group of participants, about one-third reported that their weight loss occurred due to illness, 23% attributed it to stress, and nearly 29% experienced a poor appetite. Additionally, the results indicated that gaining 5% or more weight compared to maintaining a stable weight was also not associated with exceptional longevity.
Lead author Aladin Shadya stated that older women often have overweight or obesity. The findings confirm that stable weight can be an effective way to achieve longevity among older women.
According to Professor Shadya, if older women lose weight without efforts to shed pounds, it may be a sign of poor health and a harbinger of reduced lifespan. However, unintentional weight loss is common among older adults and is not always linked to an underlying medical issue.
The study authors noted that their findings challenge the general recommendations for weight loss among older women, as it does not necessarily contribute to their longevity. This research is the first of its kind to explore how weight changes among older women can impact the potential for exceptional longevity, highlighting the importance of maintaining a stable weight as a key goal.
