For Older Adults, Thin Is Out
photo by .through my eyes.’s
Just when you thought thin was in…
… a group of researchers publish a study that says being overweight extends life in people age 70 and older. Huh?
Here’s what we know: Most of the research this decade (well, really last decade seeing as 2010 jump started a new decade) has found that being overweight causes a number of diseases—type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, cancer, and more. There’s been a lot of talk, too, about getting older folks to drop pounds.
But a study published in the Journal of the American Geriatric Society reports that weight loss may do more harm than good when it comes to the elderly. The researchers studied more than 9,200 Aussie men and women for more than 10 years or until their death. They accounted for lifestyle factors, demographics, and overall health.
At the end of the study, the scientists were surprised: Risk of death was lowest for participants with a high BMI. Those who were overweight had a 13 percent lower risk of death than their normal-weight peers. (Obese participants, on the other hand, weren’t so lucky. They didn’t gain any protection from their extra-high BMI.)
I know, you’re thinking that certain diseases—say, cancer—cause weight loss. If people are thin because they’re fighting disease, that would skew results. But the researchers accounted for that. Even when they considered the disease participants died from, the link remained.
Both men and women profited from being overweight. But being sedentary was another story: In women it doubled their risk of death; in men, it raised the risk by a quarter.
According to the study’s author, “our study suggests that those people who survive to age 70 in reasonable health have a different set of risks and benefits associated with the amount of body fat to younger people.”
Considering the War on Fat, it’s strange to read about a study with these results. What’s most shocking to me isn’t that thin people fared worse; it’s that the overweight—not normal weight—people managed the best. Typically, being overweight is associated with problems that cut life short. Still, for as much about the human body we claim to know, there is always research out there to surprise us.
Do these results surprise you? What are your thoughts on our thinner, thinner, thinnest mantra these days?
14 comments
These results don’t surprise me because research is so wishy washy, and there’s a different answer to almost every different study. To live long, take care of your body, follow its signals, and do what makes YOU feel your best.
FoodFitnessFreshair: It’s so true. I’m just waiting until another study announces three months from now that being overweight ups the risk of death in the elderly!
I’m not overly shocked with this study. But baffled! They say something different every day! Does the study say why? Its hard for me to believe being super overweight is a plus!
Estela, the reason is really unclear. Here’s the researcher’s guess: “We can only hypothesize, but it may be that as we age, the presence of nutritional and metabolic reserves [that is, fat] are advantageous. If you develop an illness, a little more reserve gives you a greater chance to recover from that illness.”
Also, keep in mind that the researchers measured weight by BMI, which is a flawed tool at best. The study suggests that maybe BMI isn’t the best indicator of health for older people.
I have a hard time believing that’s true. Although my grandma, who’ll turn 94 in a couple of weeks, has been obese for most of her life but her cholesterol is within range, her blood pressure is reasonable and she takes relatively few medications. It pisses my dad off to no end knowing that his numbers are higher than hers even though he exercises regularly.
David, Doesn’t it always work out that way? In any case: Way to go grandma!
I will admit I was a little surprised but I agree with everyone else that next year a new study will come out with the complete opposite results. I think the best thing to do is just live a consitently healthy and active lifestyle from childhood to late adulthood.
It doesn’t shock me because I’ve learned about the “benefits” of being overweight, especially in the “golden years”. We learned in school that if you have a choice between being a little under a healthful weight or a little over, you’re best to be over. The co-morbidities show up less in individuals who are packing a few added pounds. Fascinating, I think!
There is so much information out there that I don’t know if I should be thin or fat, exercising or not!
This is a really interesting study though. I guess genetics really plays a big part in things and sometimes, no matter how much one tries to stay healthy, genetics is what determines how long you live.
Nicole, a study came out about a month or so ago that talked about what you mention: that the underweight were worse off. What’s so interesting to me about this study is that the normal weight folks fared worse, too. I agree: fascinating!
These finding actually aren’t that strange. Have you read “Rethinking Thin” by Gina Kolata? She’s the science writer for the NY Times. The research actually shows that for MOST people, regardless of their age, a BMI between 25 and 29 (offically “overweight” but NOT obese) is correlated with longevity.
I think this just shows that we need to redefine “normal” weight.
Charlotte–I haven’t read that, but it’s on my list. You make a really great point. Thanks!
Did the study mention what “elderly” meant? For someone who is relatively young, yet in some places (mostly restaurants, I’ll admit) can choose from the “Senior Menu” (which starts at 50!!) it seems that “elderly” might be in the eye of the beholder. If they’re talking about elders who are in their 70s, 80s and beyond, it’s just possible that these particular survivors have simply had the luck, thus far, to still be alive and healthy in spite of a few extra pounds. My BMI is 30 at the moment — still too high — and I’m working to bring it down. Let’s say I do. I like thinking positively. Does this mean that I’m inadvertently shortening my life? Gahhh. I think your other commenters are right: Eat and live healthily to the best of your ability, and let health and a good attitude be your touchstone.
Wren, for this study “elderly” means 70 and older. I agree, maybe the ones that survive would have lasted that long with or with out a high BMI. Or, as Charlotte pointed out, perhaps BMI requirements are set too low for people over 70. I’m not sure what to make of it, but I like to think, like many people who commented here, that eating healthily and exercising are best.
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