Can we lose weight when we are older?

We have a number of patients in the program that are above 50 in age and most ask on their first visit, Am I too old to lose weight? The answer is NO! You can absolutely lose weight if you want to. A recent study by NIH showed that people in their 50's and 60's can lose weight if they put their mind to it.

The year-long study followed healthy 50- to 60-year olds with a body mass index of between 23 and 30, placing them at the high end of normal weight or overweight. Both those who dieted and those who exercised lost a significant amount of weight. However, those who exercised maintained their strength and muscle mass and increased aerobic capacity and those who dieted lost muscle mass, strength and aerobic capacity.

The goal of dieters was to reduce their calorie consumption by 16 percent for the first three months, and by 20 percent the next nine months. With regard to exercise, the goal of the exercisers was to burn 16 percent more calories the first three months, increasing to 20 percent the next nine months.

Both groups lost between 9 and 10 percent of their total body weight. Those who exercised engaged in 60 minutes of cardiovascular activity six times a week, such as a brisk three- to four-mile walk. Those exercisers who worked out for 90 minutes a day took off more pounds, around 15 to 20 percent of their body weight.

Those who dieted lost muscle mass while those who exercised did not. This is because exercisers routinely challenged their muscles, which prevented muscle tissue from degrading. Dieters didn't work their muscles as vigorously as those who exercised. The study concluded that those who want to lose weight should engage in increased exercise with caloric restriction instead of just counting calories alone.

And just to let you know, our oldest patient in the program was 86 and she lost 20 pounds!