For Seniors: How About Losing Weight Today? Much to our dismay,
it is quite common for people to gain weight as they age. Some
of the gain is unavoidable, because as your body ages, body fat
increases as lean muscle mass and bone mass decrease. Body fat
doubles over the five decades from age 25 to age 75. Body weight
increases until you reach age 60, when it begins to decline.
Less lean body mass needs fewer calories to maintain, and a more
sedentary lifestyle that often accompanies aging also requires
fewer calories. Because of these reasons, daily caloric needs
fall by about 20 percent from age 30 to age 80. If you continue
to eat the same amount of food that you did when younger, you
will gain weight. The most effective method for losing weight is
familiar: Exercise to burn calories and to build and maintain
muscle, and/or limit the intake of calories. Health experts
suggest to prevent weight gain you get at least 30 to 60 minutes
of physical activity (intense enough to make you breathe harder)
on most day