A recent investigation has unveiled an intriguing phenomenon – older women who retain their body weight after the age of 60 stand a higher chance of achieving remarkable longevity when compared to those who undergo weight loss of 5% or more. Surprisingly, the act of gaining weight does not seem to influence the likelihood of attaining exceptional longevity, challenging the conventional wisdom surrounding weight loss strategies for older women.
Conducted by researchers at the University of California San Diego, the study indicates that older women who maintain their weight post-60 are more likely to reach the milestone of living to 90 or even older, a status referred to as “exceptional longevity.” These women exhibit a 1.2 to 2 times higher probability of achieving this noteworthy feat compared to their counterparts who undergo weight loss of 5% or more.
This investigation, recently published in the Journal of Gerontology: Medical Sciences, delved into the connection between weight fluctuations during later stages of life and longevity among 54,437 postmenopausal women engaged in the Women’s Health Initiative. This long-term study is dedicated to exploring the underlying causes of chronic ailments in postmenopausal women. Over the course of the follow-up period, 56% of the participants (equivalent to 30,647 individuals) successfully reached the age of 90 or above.
The findings highlighted that women who experienced a weight loss of at least 5% were less likely to attain longevity in comparison to those who maintained a stable weight. For instance, women who inadvertently shed pounds faced a 51% decreased chance of surviving until the age of 90. Conversely, an increase of 5% or more in weight, when compared to maintaining a stable weight, did not correlate with exceptional longevity.
Lead author Aladdin H. Shadyab, Ph.D., M.P.H., who serves as an associate professor at the Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science at UC San Diego, stated, “In the United States, it is quite common for older women to experience overweight or obesity with a body mass index ranging from 25 to 35. Our findings advocate for the importance of sustaining a stable weight as a goal for longevity in older women.”
Shadyab further emphasized, “Unintended weight loss in aging women could serve as a signal of deteriorating health and a predictor of reduced longevity.”
These conclusions imply that the generalized recommendations for weight loss among older women might not necessarily contribute to extended lifespans. Nevertheless, the researchers caution that women should heed medical advice if modest weight loss is suggested to enhance their overall health or quality of life.
The data adds depth to the ongoing research concerning the connection between changes in weight and mortality. Notably, this marks the first extensive study examining weight fluctuations during later life in relation to exceptional longevity.
Reference: “Association of Later-Life Weight Changes With Survival to Ages 90, 95, and 100: The Women’s Health Initiative” by Aladdin H Shadyab, Ph.D., JoAnn E Manson, MD, DrPH, Matthew A Allison, MD, MPH, Deepika Laddu, Ph.D., Sylvia Wassertheil-Smoller, Ph.D., Linda Van Horn, Ph.D., RDN, Robert A Wild, MD, MPH, Ph.D., Hailey R Banack, Ph.D., Fred K Tabung, Ph.D., Bernhard Haring, MD, MPH, Yangbo Sun, MD, Ph.D., Erin S LeBlanc, MD, MPH, Jean Wactawski-Wende, Ph.D., Meryl S LeBoff, MD, Michelle J Naughton, Ph.D., MPH, Juhua Luo, Ph.D., Peter F Schnatz, DO, Ginny Natale, Ph.D., Robert J Ostfeld, MD, MSc and Andrea Z LaCroix, Ph.D., 29 August 2023, Journal of Gerontology.
DOI: 10.1093/gerona/glad177
The co-authors encompass: Matthew A. Allison and Andrea Z. LaCroix, both affiliated with UC San Diego; JoAnn E. Manson, representing Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School along with Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health; Deepika Laddu from the University of Illinois Chicago; Sylvia Wassertheil-Smoller of Albert Einstein College of Medicine; Linda Van Horn, linked to Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine; Robert A. Wild hailing from University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center; Hailey R. Banack, associated with Dalla Lana School of Public Health; Fred K. Tabung from Ohio State University; Bernhard Haring, having ties to University of Wurzburg and Albert Einstein College of Medicine; Yangbo Sun, affiliated with University of Tennessee Health Science Center; Erin S. LeBlanc representing Kaiser Permanente; Jean Wactawski-Wende from University at Buffalo – SUNY; Meryl S. LeBoff, associated with Harvard Medical School; Michelle J. Naughton, affiliated with Ohio State University; Juhua Luo, representing Indiana University Bloomington; Peter F. Schnatz from Reading Hospital/Tower Health; Ginny Natale linked to Stony Brook University; and Robert J. Ostfeld from Montefiore Health System.
The research received partial funding from the National Institutes of Health, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, as well as the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (grants 75N92021D00001, 75N92021D00002, 75N92021D00003, 75N92021D00004, and 75N92021D00005).
It is noteworthy to mention that Robert J. Ostfeld, MD, MSc, disclosed research grants from Purjes Foundation and Greenbaum Foundation, in addition to his advisory board membership with Mesuron, Inc. along with stock option interest.
Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Longevity-enhancing weight maintenance
What did the study uncover about weight and longevity in older women?
The study found that older women who maintained their body weight after age 60 were more likely to achieve exceptional longevity compared to those who lost 5% or more of their weight. Gaining weight did not affect the odds of exceptional longevity.
How was the study conducted and what were the participants?
The study analyzed data from 54,437 postmenopausal women participating in the Women’s Health Initiative. It aimed to explore the connection between weight fluctuations and longevity in later life. During the follow-up period, 56% of participants lived to age 90 or older.
What were the results regarding weight loss and longevity?
Women who lost at least 5% of their weight were less likely to achieve longevity, with unintentional weight loss leading to a 51% lower chance of surviving to age 90. Gaining 5% or more weight, however, did not correlate with exceptional longevity.
Should older women follow general weight loss recommendations?
The study suggests that generalized weight loss recommendations for older women may not contribute to extended lifespans. Nevertheless, women should heed medical advice if moderate weight loss is suggested to improve health or quality of life.
What implications does the research have?
The research challenges prevailing wisdom by suggesting that maintaining stable weight rather than pursuing weight loss might be more beneficial for older women’s longevity. It also underscores the need for monitoring unintended weight loss as a potential indicator of health issues.
Who conducted the study and where was it published?
The study was led by researchers at the University of California San Diego and was published in the Journal of Gerontology: Medical Sciences. It’s a significant contribution to understanding the relationship between weight changes and exceptional longevity in older women.
More about Longevity-enhancing weight maintenance
- Study: Association of Later-Life Weight Changes With Survival
- University of California San Diego
- Women’s Health Initiative
- Journal of Gerontology: Medical Sciences
