Sustained Midlife Weight Loss Linked to Better Heart Health at 62

People who were overweight and lost at least 5% of their weight in middle age had cardiovascular and metabolic health measures at 62 similar to those of adults who had consistently maintained a healthy weight, The Guardian reported.

Researchers at University College London found comparable cholesterol levels, blood pressure and markers of inflammation between the groups. However, the study was observational, meaning it cannot establish that weight loss caused the differences.

According to The Guardian, researchers analysed data from more than 6,000 people born in the UK in 1958. They examined participants’ body mass index, identifying the highest BMI each person had reached by age 42.

The team then assessed whether participants had lost or gained at least 5% of their weight by 50 and whether that difference had been maintained at 55. Researchers also analysed blood pressure, cholesterol and inflammation measurements.

By 62, participants who had been overweight but sustained weight loss in middle age closely resembled the consistently healthy-weight group across these measures, the outlet reported.

The Guardian described the findings as adding to evidence that relatively small changes in weight can be associated with meaningful differences in health. Experts told the outlet that starting with a smaller weight-loss goal and maintaining it can be easier than pursuing a large reduction.

Lead author Charis Bridger-Staatz, of UCL’s centre for longitudinal studies, said the research challenged the assumption that ageing necessarily involves an unavoidable decline in health, according to The Guardian.

She said a modest weight reduction during people’s 50s could make a difference to their health and potentially their quality of life. She also argued that prevention efforts should extend to people in that age group, alongside their existing emphasis on children and younger adults.

The Guardian reported that poor cardiovascular and metabolic health can increase the risk of conditions including type 2 diabetes and heart disease, as well as heart attacks and strokes.

Co-author Laura Gimeno said the findings supported interest in widening access to effective weight-loss support, including medications, according to the outlet. She described the potential benefits as extending beyond short-term changes in weight.

Gimeno also highlighted preventing additional weight gain during middle age. The Guardian reported that further gain was consistently associated with the fastest deterioration in cardiovascular and metabolic health.

The researchers acknowledged limitations alongside the observational design. Their findings identify an association between sustained midlife weight changes and later health measures, rather than proving cause and effect.

Sources

• The Guardian: Weight loss in middle age can restore cardiovascular health, research suggests