Free Ground Shipping On Orders $49.95 or More †
BOOST® Rewards
SHOP ALL PRODUCTS
Take Quiz
Browse Articles
View All
Read Our Why
Read Nutrition Details
Read Our Stories
Learn More
Healthy Aging: 5 Tips for Avoiding Age-Related Weight Loss
Have you ever found yourself putting on a favorite pair of pants that you’ve had for years and noticing they seem a little looser? It might not be the fabric that’s losing its shape – you might be losing weight.
We spend so much of our adult lives trying to fuel our bodies and keep them in tip-top shape. We try to eat nutritious foods, engage in physical activity, and all the while work to maintain a healthy weight. But as we get older, it can actually be a bit more challenging to keep the weight on.
Body weight tends to peak around age 60. After age 70, it’s common to lose a little bit of weight. It may not be much – less than a half-pound per year on average. However, small losses over time can add up, leading to those loose pants.
In general, our body weight is the combined total of three things: our skeleton (the bones in our bodies), how much fat we carry, and how much muscle we have. As we get older, our bones can become less dense, which may lead to osteopenia or osteoporosis. We also tend to experience muscle breakdown at a greater rate, a condition called sarcopenia. With less-dense bones and lower muscle mass, the numbers on the scale can start tipping downward.
We know how important it is not to be overweight, since excess body fat is linked to a number of health conditions like heart disease and diabetes. It’s important to avoid becoming underweight, too, because not having enough muscle to support your bones can put you at increased risk for frailty and falls. Keeping weight within a normal range and continuing to eat well and exercise are good strategies for healthy aging.
To keep a healthy weight, try these simple tips:
Shedding a pound or two over a long period isn’t a huge cause for concern, but if you’ve experienced a drastic weight loss, you will want to talk with a doctor.
Unintended weight loss, or lossing 5% or more of your body weight in a 6-12 month period, is associated with an increased risk for morbidity and mortality. Unintended weight loss can also be a signal of an underlying condition which, if left untreated, can become worse and increase risk of malnutrition.
Weight loss may be tied to medical issues, such as a problem with the thyroid or adrenal glands, or the gastrointestinal tract. It can also be psychological and linked to depression which can lead to ambivalence about eating. If you’ve experienced unintended or drastic weight loss, it’s important to seek medical attention to help find the root cause and avoid further risks such as malnutrition.
The magazine covers in the checkout aisle show countless ways to lose weight, but what about those o...
Have you ever found yourself putting on a favorite pair of pants that you’ve had for years and notic...
We all have days when we feel like we’re slogging through sludge. Days when our energy levels are lo...
Even when children have long left the nest, your role as parent never really stops. It may evolve ov...
By submitting my information, I agree to receive emails and other marketing communications from BOOST® including special offers, promotions, and more. I certify that I have read and agree to the Terms & Conditions, Program Rules, Privacy Policy which includes our Notice of Financial Incentive.
Don’t worry! Just fill in your email below and we’ll help you reset your password.
Password reset instructions will be sent to your registered email address.
Your Cart 0
Free Shipping On orders over $49.95*
PROCEED TO CHECKOUT
KEEP SHOPPING
Congratulations! We’ve applied your 20% discount off your next purchase of select BOOST product.*
START SHOPPING
*Terms and conditions apply. See offer details
Thank you for subscribing! We'll be in touch.
Subscription automatically renews until you cancel. There is no commitment once you subscribe. You can cancel or delay your subscription via My Subscriptions in your account. Learn more