Weight management is an integral factor in maintaining our overall health and well-being – countless studies and research results have proven the benefits of weight loss to our bodies.

But, as counterintuitive as it sounds, one study argued that weight loss in older adults is associated with higher mortality rates and life-limiting conditions.

Being overweight is linked to a multitude of health problems, such as diabetes, heart disease, and some cancers – and this has been proven time and again. This is why doctors say that maintaining a healthy weight gives you the best chance of having a long life.

However, a study by researchers from Monash University in Melbourne, Australia, found that those who lost weight over the age of 65 were more likely to die within an average of four years.

What’s more surprising is that no link was found between gaining weight and a higher risk of early death.

One study argued that losing weight later in life raises the risk of early death. Credit: Monica Silvestre/Pexels

Dr Monira Hussain, Clinical Epidemiologist and Senior Research Fellow in Public Health at Monash University, said that most studies have not fully understood the impact of weight change on healthy older adults.

The study, which was published in JAMA Network Open, an online medical journal publication, focused on researching the change in body size in older adults.

Specifically, the researchers believe that it’s not the weight loss itself that’s the issue. Rather, it’s the cause of the weight loss that puts them at a higher mortality risk.

For example, the common cold, diabetes, dementia and heart, lung, kidney or liver disease can all cause people to lose their appetite, as do heavy prescription drugs.

To find the answers, researchers followed over 19,000 adults, all aged 65 and above.

Among the participants, 16,703 people were from Australia, aged 70 and older, and 2,411 were Americans, aged 65 and older. The participants were healthy and without a history of cardiovascular disease, dementia, disability, or chronic illness.

People who had been recently hospitalised were excluded because being an inpatient is often followed by weight loss.

The research had around 17,000 participants. Credit: Pixabay/Pexels

Next, the participant’s body weight and waist circumference were measured during their annual check-ups between 2010 and 2014.

‘Analysis models were adjusted for baseline body mass index because height and weight were measured at baseline, allowing for calculation of body mass index and other variables,’ the research stated.

Eventually, the study found that among the male participants, those who lost more than 10 per cent of their body weight were ‘almost 290 per cent more likely to die early’ than men with a stable weight.

‘Our study found that even a 5 per cent weight loss increases mortality risk, particularly in older men,’ Dr Hussain said.

Women who lost more than 10 per cent of their body weight were found to have a 114 per cent increase in mortality rate.

Moreover, when compared to men with a consistent weight, those who lost five to 10 per cent of their body weight had a 33 per cent higher risk of early death. Meanwhile, women who lost the same range of weight were found to be 26 per cent more likely to die early.

The connection was found across starting weights, meaning people who were medically classified as ‘obese’ were also at an increased risk when losing weight, according to Perri Halperin, Clinical Nutrition Director at Mount Sinai Health System. Dr Halperin was not involved in the study.

Weight loss was also linked to early death from cancer. The study suggested that more than 10 per cent of men who lost weight within the study period were 2.5 times ‘more likely’ to die from cancer.

In women, more than 10 per cent weight loss meant that participants were 1.78 times more likely to die from cancer.

According to the researchers, losing weight in old age could lead to earlier death because it can indicate underlying issues such as cancer and dementia.

‘This cohort study of healthy older adults suggests that weight loss was associated with an increase in all-cause and cause-specific mortality, including an increased risk of cancer, CVD, and other life-limiting conditions,’ the researchers concluded.

Key Takeaways

• Losing weight in old age may raise the risk of early death, according to a study by Monash University in Melbourne, Australia.
• Researchers found that those who lost weight over the age of 65 were a third more likely to die within an average of four years, with no link found between gaining weight and a higher risk of early death.
• The study suggests that it's not the weight loss itself but the cause of the weight loss that puts elderly individuals at a higher risk of death, with factors like illness, heavy prescription drugs, and appetite loss possibly contributing to the correlation.
• The connection was found across starting weights, meaning even those who were obese were at a higher risk of early death if they lost more than five per cent of their body weight.

The research makes sense when you consider weight loss as a side effect of other illnesses.

That being said, if your doctor has recommended that you do need to lose weight, they will be aware of the risks and can work with you to develop a special plan tailored to your unique needs.

So, don’t be afraid to have an open and honest conversation with your GP, especially if you have any health concerns or changes in weight.

We’d love to hear your thoughts on this study in the comments.

 

[Jennie]

Weight management is an integral factor in maintaining our overall health and well-being – countless studies and research results have proven the benefits of weight loss to our bodies.

But, as counterintuitive as it sounds, one study argued that weight loss in older adults is associated with higher mortality rates and life-limiting conditions.

Being overweight is linked to a multitude of health problems, such as diabetes, heart disease, and some cancers – and this has been proven time and again. This is why doctors say that maintaining a healthy weight gives you the best chance of having a long life.

However, a study by researchers from Monash University in Melbourne, Australia, found that those who lost weight over the age of 65 were more likely to die within an average of four years.

What’s more surprising is that no link was found between gaining weight and a higher risk of early death.

View attachment 17764

One study argued that losing weight later in life raises the risk of early death. Credit: Monica Silvestre/Pexels

Dr Monira Hussain, Clinical Epidemiologist and Senior Research Fellow in Public Health at Monash University, said that most studies have not fully understood the impact of weight change on healthy older adults.

The study, which was published in JAMA Network Open, an online medical journal publication, focused on researching the change in body size in older adults.

Specifically, the researchers believe that it’s not the weight loss itself that’s the issue. Rather, it’s the cause of the weight loss that puts them at a higher mortality risk.

For example, the common cold, diabetes, dementia and heart, lung, kidney or liver disease can all cause people to lose their appetite, as do heavy prescription drugs.

To find the answers, researchers followed over 19,000 adults, all aged 65 and above.

Among the participants, 16,703 people were from Australia, aged 70 and older, and 2,411 were Americans, aged 65 and older. The participants were healthy and without a history of cardiovascular disease, dementia, disability, or chronic illness.

People who had been recently hospitalised were excluded because being an inpatient is often followed by weight loss.

View attachment 17765

The research had around 17,000 participants. Credit: Pixabay/Pexels

Next, the participant’s body weight and waist circumference were measured during their annual check-ups between 2010 and 2014.

‘Analysis models were adjusted for baseline body mass index because height and weight were measured at baseline, allowing for calculation of body mass index and other variables,’ the research stated.

Eventually, the study found that among the male participants, those who lost more than 10 per cent of their body weight were ‘almost 290 per cent more likely to die early’ than men with a stable weight.

‘Our study found that even a 5 per cent weight loss increases mortality risk, particularly in older men,’ Dr Hussain said.

Women who lost more than 10 per cent of their body weight were found to have a 114 per cent increase in mortality rate.

Moreover, when compared to men with a consistent weight, those who lost five to 10 per cent of their body weight had a 33 per cent higher risk of early death. Meanwhile, women who lost the same range of weight were found to be 26 per cent more likely to die early.

The connection was found across starting weights, meaning people who were medically classified as ‘obese’ were also at an increased risk when losing weight, according to Perri Halperin, Clinical Nutrition Director at Mount Sinai Health System. Dr Halperin was not involved in the study.

Weight loss was also linked to early death from cancer. The study suggested that more than 10 per cent of men who lost weight within the study period were 2.5 times ‘more likely’ to die from cancer.

In women, more than 10 per cent weight loss meant that participants were 1.78 times more likely to die from cancer.

According to the researchers, losing weight in old age could lead to earlier death because it can indicate underlying issues such as cancer and dementia.

‘This cohort study of healthy older adults suggests that weight loss was associated with an increase in all-cause and cause-specific mortality, including an increased risk of cancer, CVD, and other life-limiting conditions,’ the researchers concluded.

Key Takeaways

• Losing weight in old age may raise the risk of early death, according to a study by Monash University in Melbourne, Australia.
• Researchers found that those who lost weight over the age of 65 were a third more likely to die within an average of four years, with no link found between gaining weight and a higher risk of early death.
• The study suggests that it's not the weight loss itself but the cause of the weight loss that puts elderly individuals at a higher risk of death, with factors like illness, heavy prescription drugs, and appetite loss possibly contributing to the correlation.
• The connection was found across starting weights, meaning even those who were obese were at a higher risk of early death if they lost more than five per cent of their body weight.

The research makes sense when you consider weight loss as a side effect of other illnesses.

That being said, if your doctor has recommended that you do need to lose weight, they will be aware of the risks and can work with you to develop a special plan tailored to your unique needs.

So, don’t be afraid to have an open and honest conversation with your GP, especially if you have any health concerns or changes in weight.

We’d love to hear your thoughts on this study in the comments.

The article doesn't mention whether losing weight intentionally is going to kill you. I feel if I lost 2-3 kilos I would be healthier but just can't shift it.