The Risks of Weight Loss in Older Adults: Study Finds Higher Mortality Rates in Elderly Slimmers

Weight loss is often praised as a key aspect of healthy aging, but a new study suggests that losing weight later in life may not be as beneficial as we once thought. A recent study by researchers at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia, has found that losing weight in old age may increase the risk of early death. While being overweight is commonly associated with a range of health problems, maintaining a healthy weight has been recommended by doctors for optimal longevity. The study followed around 17,000 adults aged 65 and above and surprisingly found no link between weight gain and a higher risk of early death. Instead, the researchers attribute the higher mortality risk to the cause of weight loss, such as common illnesses, diabetes, dementia, various organ diseases that can cause loss of appetite, and heavy prescription drugs.

 The study involved 16,703 Australian participants aged 70 and older and 2,411 American participants aged 65 and older without any history of cardiovascular disease, dementia, disability, or chronic illness. Individuals recently hospitalized were also excluded due to weight loss that typically follows illness. Between 2010 and 2014, the participant's body weight and waist circumference were measured annually. The results showed that men who lost over 10 per cent of their body weight were nearly 290 per cent more likely to die early than men with a stable weight, while women who lost over 10 per cent had a 114 per cent higher mortality rate. Men who lost 5-10% of their body weight had a 33% higher chance of early death from all causes, and women had a 26% higher chance. Weight loss was also linked to premature death from cancer, with men who lost more than 10% of their body weight being 2.5 times more likely to die from cancer and women being 1.78 times more likely. Weight gain, on the other hand, did not increase the risk of early death. The participants were not asked about changes in their activity levels or diet over the years.

The study's lead author, Dr Monira Hussain, suggested that weight loss is often linked to reduced appetite influenced by inflammation and hormones, as well as mobility problems, side effects from medication, social isolation, financial issues, and pain. Losing weight in old age could indicate underlying health issues such as cancer and dementia.