Elderly ‘better off fat’
Women may spend their whole lives trying to lose weight but once they turn 85 years old, research suggests they would be better off fat. While obesity contributes to the deaths of millions of people every year, a new Israeli study found when excess fat forms after the age of 85 years, it starts to have a ‘protective’ effect.
Women may spend their whole lives trying to lose weight but once they turn 85 years old, research suggests they would be better off fat.
While obesity contributes to the deaths of millions of people every year, a new study by Tel Aviv University in Israel found when excess fat forms after the age of 85 years, it starts to have a ‘protective’ effect.
Researchers say elderly overweight people had a lower risk of death than those who were underweight or had a normal body weight.
The results of this latest study contradict research last week which shockingly suggested starving can generally lead to a better quality of life.But was this pre or post age 85?
However, the Israeli researchers suggested heavier people had lower rates of osteoporosis – making them less likely to fall and injure themselves. Obesity can also provide extra energy in times of trauma and stress, reportedly keeping older people alive for longer when they are unable to eat.
Researchers studied 1,349 people between the ages of 75 to 94 years. Twenty years after the information was collected, the participants were contacted again. During this time, 95% of participants had died, leaving 59 still alive.
Of those still living, a large number were overweight or obese, suggesting excess fat protected people once they turned 85 years.
Despite their findings, the study leaders, as well as Australian researchers, warn obesity is not something all seniors should strive for.
“Though obese people over the age of 85 years may be less at risk of death, they may suffer more from obesity-related illnesses, such as pain, multiple ailments and mobility problems,” Queensland-based nutritionist, Steve Mala, says.
