Healthy Weight May Slow Aging Disability

Maintaining a healthy body weight throughout adulthood may help prevent or delay the onset of physical disability as people age, says a U.S. study.

Researchers from Wake Forest University School of Medicine and colleagues say their data suggests that interventions to prevent excess weight and obesity in young and middle-aged adults may be useful in preventing or delaying the onset of physical disability later in life.

The study, reported online by the International Journal of Obesity, found that men and women who were obese at 25 years, 50 years and between 70 and 79 years had significantly lower scores of physical performance than those who were normal weight at these ages. Women who were overweight, but not obese, at these ages also had lower performance.

Obesity may lead to joint wear and tear, reduced exercise capacity, and a higher rate of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and arthritis that can result in physical disability, study leader Denise K. Houston said in a statement.

Obesity in young and middle adulthood may result in earlier onset of chronic diseases and lower physical activity, contributing to decreased muscle strength and cardiovascular fitness and greater declines in physical performance.