Women’s longevity is linked to maintaining a stable weight in old age

For women, unintentional weight loss after age 60 may be a factor in decreased longevity. That’s what emerged from a University of California, San Diego study that looked at data on more than 50,000 postmenopausal women.

August 30 – Reaching the age of 90, 95 or 100 is more likely for women who maintain their body weight after the age of 60. This is shown by a study conducted by researchers led by Aladdin Shadyab, of the University of California, San Diego. The results of the study — which found that older women who maintain a stable weight are 1.2 to two times more likely to live longer than those with a body weight loss of 5% or more — have since been published. Gerontology journals.

I study
The team analyzed the relationship between weight change in old age and longevity in 54,437 postmenopausal women from the Prospective Women’s Health Initiative study. In the follow-up period, 30,647 women, or 56% of participants, lived to be 90 years or older. However, women who lost at least 5% of their weight were less likely to live longer than those who maintained a stable weight. In addition, women who lost weight unintentionally were 51% less likely to survive 90 years or more.

The study’s lead author concludes, “If older women find themselves losing weight when they don’t want to, it could be a warning sign of poor health and an indication of decreased longevity.” Aladdin Shadyab.

source: Journal of Gerontology 2023

August 30, 2023
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