Losing 5% body weight in middle age restores heart health

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 21 Oct, 00:20 · Archive

A UK study of 6,000 people found that losing just 5% of body weight in middle age can restore cardiovascular health to that of people who never gained weight.

Researchers at University College London examined data from more than 6,000 people born in the UK during one week in 1958. They analysed their body mass index from their 20s onwards and tracked whether people lost or gained at least 5% of their weight by age 50, maintaining this change at 55.

By age 62, those who had lost 5% of their body weight in their 50s had comparable cholesterol levels, blood pressure and signs of inflammation to those who had always maintained a healthy weight. These are all key measures of cardiovascular and metabolic health.

Lead author Dr Charis Bridger Staatz from UCL's Centre for Longitudinal Studies said: 'Ageing is often framed in terms of inevitable health decline, but our new research shows that this need not be the case.' He added that a modest reduction in weight in people's 50s may make a real difference to their health and reduce their risk of heart issues. The research suggests that health improvement efforts should extend to people in their 50s, contrary to the perception that meaningful change is no longer possible at that stage of life.

How it is being reported

• Losing weight in middle-age 'makes your heart just as healthy as someone who's never been overweight'The UCL study found men and women who shed at least 5% in their early to mid-50s go on to have similar heart health as those who have stayed a healthy weightThe Mirror · 21 Oct, 00:02
• Weight loss in middle age can restore cardiovascular health, research suggestsUK study of 6,000 patients shows shedding 5% of body weight may help cut the risk of stroke and heart disease Losing just 5% of your body weight in middle age can reduce inflammation, lower the risk of stroke and make your heart as healthy as if you had never gained weight, research suggests. Millions of men and women worldwide gain weight as they age, putting extra stress on their body, reducing quality of life and doing significant damage to their cardiovascular and metabolic health. Continue reading...The Guardian · 21 Oct, 00:01

In this story: University College London · Charis Bridger Staatz · UK

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