there is no age to lose weight

Excess weight is not inevitable. Even over the age of 60 it is possible to lose pounds. In people with obesity, changes in habits lead to the same results on the scale, regardless of age. This is the discovery of a research group from the University of Warwick, UK. Their results were published on the specialized website Clinical endocrinology.

A program based on diet, physical activity and psychological support

“There are many reasons why people underestimate weight loss in the elderlysays Thomas Barber, lead author of the study. It also includes an agist perception that weight loss is of no concern to older people and a misinterpretation of their ability to lose weight through dietary changes and increased blood pressure. exercise. “For his research, 242 obese patients were recruited. All were in a weight loss program at the University Hospitals of Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW). nutrition, psychological support but also physical activity Study participants were supported for an average of three years.

Co-morbidities more frequent with age

The researchers compared the results between those over 60 and under 60. In the first group, weight loss was approximately 7.3% of body mass, compared to 6.9% in under 60.Weight loss is important at any age, underlines Thomas Barber, but with advancing age the risks of developing comorbidities associated with obesity increase “. According to him, this makes thinning even more necessary to avoid developing diabetes, osteoarthritis, etc. In total, there are more than 50 comorbidities associated with obesity. The risk of developing them decreases as soon as weight loss begins.

650 million adults worldwide

Obesity is characterized by a body mass index greater than 30. When it exceeds 40, doctors speak of morbid obesity. To get this data, divide the weight by the height squared. The causes of this disease are numerous: imbalance between energy intake and expenditure, hereditary factors, diseases, psychological problems, rhythm of life, etc. According to the World Health Organization, more than 650 million adults suffered from obesity in 2016.