Causes for weight gain with aging

Question
Is there any scientific research to support the talk of as you get older you put on weight.
Thank you for your time

Answer
Hi George,

Yes it is. However, a closer look at the picture reveals that not the very process of aging contributes to the problem but many components such as: gender, genetics, physical activity, diseases, life style, etc.

For example, women after menopause might even keep the body weight stable, but their fat localization almost invariably changes making their body apple-type instead of the healthier pear-type.

Another example is body composition. Both men and women can keep his or her body weight stable but the fat percent increases while muscle mass decreases (sarcopenia) resulting in less healthy body composition.

Then there is the time-curve. After initial (and rather common) weight gain, old people usually start losing their already decreased muscle mass but their body fat continues decreasing and so does their body weight.

However, all these changes don't seem to be inevitable. Physically active, not overeating, adequately nourished seniors can stay in excellent shape. Exercise can keep muscle mass high enough to maintain metabolic levels, both at rest and during physical efforts so it's possible to eat more and not gain weight while getting more essential nutrients, which insure healthy metabolism thus creating a good positive feedback.

There's an excellent program aiming people over 40,  you might want to read about it here:
http://atkinszone.com/2008/02/fit-over-40.html

Tanya Zilberter

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Sources:

  1. Weight change in old age and its association with mortality. J Am Geriatr Soc 2001;49:1309�
  2. Involuntary weight loss in older outpatients: incidence and clinical significance. J Am Geriatr Soc 1995;43:329�
  3. The association between weight loss and increased longevity. A review of the evidence. Ann Intern Med 1993;119:731�   4. Prospective study of intentionality of weight loss and mortality in older women: the Iowa Women's Health Study. Am J Epidemiol 1999;149:504�
  5. Some adventures in body composition, with special reference to nutrition. Acta Diabetol 2003;40:S238�
  6. Longitudinal changes in body composition in older men and women: role of body weight change and physical activity. Am J Clin Nutr 2002;76:473�
  7. Weight stability masks sarcopenia in elderly men and women. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 2000;279:E366�

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