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Many people claim that weight loss becomes more difficult as we age, but a new study from the University of Warwick finds this claim to be a myth. The research was conducted at Coventry University Hospitals, where experts found that adults over the age of 60 can lose weight just as effectively as young people.
The study, which was recently published in the journal Clinical endocrinology, analyzed data on patients involved in a “hospital-based obesity service”. The results have been reassuring for seniors who want to lose weight but may feel discouraged due to popular weight loss myths in the golden years.
Data on 242 patients were selected over a period of time from 2005 to 2016. Patient information was divided into two groups, one for people under the age of 60 and the other for people aged between 70 and 78 years old. As part of the obesity service patients participated, data was collected at the beginning of their participation and again at the end.
According to the researchers, these participants spent about the same amount of time in the program and experienced weight loss that was “statistically equivalent.” Of note, this program only involved lifestyle changes, not surgery or medications, including things like mental health support and dietary changes.
Lead author of the study, Dr. Thomas Barber, explained:
Age shouldn’t be a barrier to managing the obesity lifestyle. Rather than hindering older people’s access to weight loss programs, we should proactively facilitate this process. Doing otherwise would risk further and unnecessarily neglecting older people due to social age misconceptions.
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