Desiring a Life Beyond 90? The Crucial Role of Keeping Your Weight Stable

Older Women Who Keep Their Weight Stable May Live Longer

Older Women Who Keep Their Weight Stable May Live Longer

A new study has found that older women who keep their weight steady could live longer. For those desiring a life beyond 90, keeping a stable weight might be an important key.

Researchers found that women who lost weight without trying had a lower chance of reaching the age of 90. This shows that losing weight without meaning to might be a sign of health problems.

Experts say if you want to live a long life, you should eat healthy food and stay active. This helps your body work better and keeps your weight stable — both important steps for desiring a life beyond 90.

To live a long and healthy life, it’s also important to:

• Eat well

• Exercise regularly

• Get enough sleep

• Manage stress

• Have good friends or family for support

No one can live forever. The oldest person ever was Jeanne Calment from France. She lived to be 122 years old. Many things can affect how long we live, like our genes, environment, lifestyle, and even luck.

What the Study Found

This new study was published in the Gerontology Journal. It looked at women over the age of 60. The study found that women who kept their weight steady had a better chance of living to 90 or older. The researchers called this “exceptional longevity,” which means living a very long life.

In the study, “weight stability” meant your weight didn’t change much — only about 5% up or down.

About the Study

This research was done by experts from the University of California, San Diego. They studied 54,437 older women who were part of the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) — a big research project that looks at health issues like heart disease, cancer, and weak bones (osteoporosis).

Out of all these women, 30,647 (or 56%) lived to age 90 or older, which is helpful information for those desiring a life beyond 90.

The researchers checked each woman’s weight at the start, then again after 3 years, and once more after 10 years. If someone lost 5% or more of their weight, it was called weight loss. If they gained 5% or more, it was called weight gain. If their weight stayed within 5%, it was called stable.

They also found out if the women lost weight on purpose or not, because unplanned weight loss could mean a health problem — something very important for people desiring a life beyond 90 to know.

What They Learned

The study showed that keeping your weight steady is linked to living longer. Women who did not lose weight had a 1.2 to 2 times better chance of reaching age 90 or more, compared to those who lost weight. For people desiring a life beyond 90, this is an important finding.

Losing weight without trying was especially linked to a lower chance of living a long life. It could be a sign of health problems.

Also, gaining weight did not seem to help people live longer either. So, for those desiring a life beyond 90, the key may be to keep your weight steady through healthy eating and staying active.

Why Keeping Weight Stable Helps

Dr. Shara Cohen, from Cancer Care, shared some reasons why keeping your weight stable might be good, especially for those desiring a life beyond 90.

She said that when your weight stays steady, it often means you eat balanced meals regularly. People who eat well usually get the right nutrients and avoid eating too much or too little.

Also, staying at the same weight can mean you are active every day. Daily movement and exercise help keep your heart, muscles, and body strong. This also helps prevent age-related problems like muscle loss and a slow metabolism, which is very important for anyone desiring a life beyond 90.

Tips for Older Women to Keep Weight Stable

Mary Sabat, a nutrition and fitness expert, shared some helpful tips:

1. Eat Healthy Foods:

   • Choose fresh fruits, vegetables, lean meats, whole grains, and healthy fats.

   • Avoid packaged foods, sugary snacks, and soft drinks.

2. Exercise Regularly:

   • Do heart-friendly exercises like walking, biking, or swimming.

   • Also do strength training to keep your muscles strong.

3. Control Portions:

   • Don’t eat too much.

   • Stop eating when you feel full.

   • Don’t eat out of boredom or stress.

4. Manage Stress:

   • Long-term stress can change your body’s hormones and affect your weight.

   • Try yoga, deep breathing, or meditation to relax.

5. Drink Enough Water:

   • Sometimes you feel hungry when you are actually just thirsty.

   • Stay hydrated to avoid snacking too much.

6. Visit Your Doctor Regularly:

   • Check-ups can catch health problems early and help you stay healthy.

7. Get Good Sleep:

   • Sleep helps control your hunger and energy levels.

   • Poor sleep can make your body gain weight more easily.

8. Stay Connected:

   • Having friends or family for support can help you stay healthy.

   • Doing healthy things together makes it easier to stick with good habits.