Weight loss – often considered step one to good health – can actually be a death sentence later in life.
A latest study has found that healthy older adults who’ve lost significant weight are more likely to die prematurely from cancer, heart problems “and other life-limiting conditions,” the authors wrote in a latest report. Meanwhile, weight gain in later years was not related to increased mortality.
The association between waist shrinkage and lifespan was seen across all baseline weights, as even obese individuals were at higher risk of premature death in the event that they lost 5% or more of their body weight.
Nevertheless, the authors noted that the load loss itself was probably not the reason behind death, but relatively its harbinger.
The study, published on Monday in JAMA open networkanalyzed greater than 16,000 patients from america and Australia who were over the age of 65 and 70, respectively, and had no underlying conditions or conditions similar to dementia, heart problems, life-limiting chronic conditions, or had been recently hospitalized.
The researchers used data from the Aspirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly (ASPREE) clinical trial, which recorded a patient’s weight annually between 2010 and 2014.
Contrary to experts’ expectations for weight loss, a mere 5% weight loss resulted in the next risk of all-cause mortality compared to those that maintained their weight. they found.
![Woman measuring belly](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/NYPICHPDPICT000009484397.jpg?w=1024)
By gender, men who lost 5-10% of their body weight were 33% more likely to die early, and losing greater than 10% resulted in a 289% increase in odds. Women were 25% more likely to die prematurely after losing 5-10% of their body weight, and 114% worse with losing 10% or more of their body weight.
The research team, led by Dr Monira Hussain of Monash University in Australia, failed to note whether the load loss was intentional, similar to through a restrictive weight loss plan, or unintentional, attributable to disease or otherwise.
Weight loss in the elderly is a priority due to the potential for disease or other conditions.
“While it’s widely known that weight loss may precede cancer diagnosis, in our study weight loss also preceded increased cancer mortality. [cardiovascular disease] and other causes,” the authors wrote. “The latter may include deaths from trauma, dementia, Parkinson’s disease and other less common causes.”
Such underlying diseases could cause “decreased appetite due to inflammation and hormones,” Dr. Hussain he told CNN.
The authors of the study urged clinicians to be more “aware of the numerous association with mortality of even relatively small weight loss,” they wrote.
Earlier this yr, the World Obesity Federation released a stark report: In only 12 years, greater than half of the world’s population is projected to be chubby or obese. According to the Mayo ClinicObesity is linked to heart disease, strokes, type 2 diabetes, some forms of cancer, digestive problems, and other complications.
In an attempt to address the obesity epidemic, scientists are working on injections and pills that curb weight gain and promote weight loss in those combating weight loss plan and exercise or affected by comorbidities. Ozempic, or Wegovy, is the newest fad to sweep Hollywood as A-list celebrities vie for the pound-throwing elixir often marketed to individuals with type 2 diabetes.