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Thursday, September 14th, 2023

Older women who maintain their weight twice as likely to have ‘exceptional longevity’

Author:    
Source:     StudyFinds
Publication Date:     AUGUST 31, 2023
 Link: Older women who maintain their weight twice as likely to have ‘exceptional longevity’
Stephan:  

I am increasingly concerned about the number of obese middle-aged women I am seeing. Longevity in the United States is declining, and one of the causes is obesity. This report lays out the issues.

To read the peer-reviewed research study upon which this report is based see: Association of Later-Life Weight Changes With Survival to Ages 90, 95, and 100: The Women’s Health Initiative

A woman talking to her doctor Credit: Alexander Raths / stock.adobe

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA — Women who either gain or lose weight after the age of 60 are less likely to live into their 90s compared to those who maintain a stable weight, according to a new study. This finding contradicts general health recommendations that advocate for weight loss in older women to prolong their lifespan.

Conducted by the University of California San Diego, the study analyzed data from 54,437 women enrolled in the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI). Established to explore the causes of chronic diseases among postmenopausal women, the WHI found that 56% of its participants, or 30,647 women, survived to the age of 90 or older.

The study demonstrated that women over 60 who maintained a stable weight were 1.2 to 2 times more likely to achieve exceptional longevity, defined as living past 90, compared to those who lost 5% or more of their weight. Women who lost weight unintentionally were 51% less likely to live to 90. Interestingly, […]

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