A study analyzing data from the Women's Health Initiative found that women who maintained a stable body weight over decades had higher odds of living to age 90 and beyond compared to those who lost weight. Women who unintentionally lost weight had significantly lower odds of survival. The study suggests that weight stability may be a predictor of longevity and cautions against blanket recommendations for weight loss in older women. Further research is needed to understand the connections between health problems, weight loss, and diverse racial and ethnic populations.
Maintaining a stable weight after the age of 60 significantly increases the chances of women living past 90, according to a study led by the University of California San Diego. The research, which examined weight changes in later life and their impact on exceptional longevity among over 54,000 women, found that those who kept a steady weight were 1.2 to 2 times more likely to reach the age of 90 or beyond compared to those who experienced a weight loss of 5% or more. The study challenges the general recommendation for older women to lose weight for better health and suggests that stable weight should be a goal for longevity in older women.
