Gaby
A recent study found that women over 60 who keep their weight stable are significantly more likely to live to 90—and even 100. The researchers also found that losing weight later in life can reduce the odds of reaching those ages. Still, doctors say women should follow medical advice when weight loss is recommended to improve health or quality of life.
Stable Weight for Exceptional Longevity
Some people reach 100 years or more, far beyond the average lifespan. Genetic factors and lifestyle choices—healthy eating, regular exercise, avoiding smoking—and a positive mental outlook are believed to help achieve exceptional longevity. The new study adds another factor: weight stability.
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—56% of the participants—lived to be 90 or older.
The study found that older women with more stable weights had 1.2 to 2 times higher odds of reaching exceptional ages than those who lost 5% or more of their weight. Women who lost weight had a 38% lower chance of reaching 100, a 33% lower chance of reaching 90, and a 35% lower chance of reaching 95. The pattern was similar across women who were overweight, obese, or of normal weight.
Weight Loss Does Not Promote Exceptional Longevity
As reported by Earth, the study also showed that women who intentionally lost weight had a 51% lower chance of living to 90. Among those women, about one-third said their weight loss resulted from illness, 23% blamed stress, and nearly 29% reported a poor appetite. The results also showed that gaining 5% or more compared with maintaining a stable weight was not linked to exceptional longevity.
Lead author Aladin Shadya said many older women have overweight or obesity. The findings support the idea that maintaining a steady weight can help older women live longer.
According to Professor Shadya, unintentional weight loss in older women—losing weight without trying—may signal poor health and predict a shorter lifespan. However, unintentional weight loss is common among older adults and is not always due to an underlying medical condition.
The findings challenge general recommendations that older women should lose weight to improve longevity, since weight loss doesn’t necessarily increase the chances of living to exceptional ages. This is the first study to examine how weight changes in older women affect the odds of exceptional longevity, and it highlights maintaining a stable weight as an important goal.
