Significant association found between all-cause mortality and weight loss in the elderly

Medical Xpress / JAMA Network Open ^ | April 13, 2023 | Justin Jackson / Sultana Monira Hussain et al

[ConservativeMind]

An international team has examined the associations of changes in body weight and waist circumference with all-cause and cause-specific mortality. In the paper, the team highlights the startling connection between weight loss and increased risk of death.

The researchers used data from a past study looking at aspirin use in 16,703 Australian participants aged 70 and above. They focused on weight recordings, waist circumference measurements and mortality information over time. The cohort consisted of 7,510 men and 9,193 women. All the individuals were without evident cardiovascular disease, dementia, physical disability, or life-limiting chronic illnesses.

Using men with stable weight as a control, men with a 5% to 10% weight loss had a 33% higher risk of all-cause mortality, and those with more than a 10% decrease in body weight had a 289% higher risk.

Compared to women with stable weight, women with a 5% to 10% weight loss had a 26% higher risk of all-cause mortality, and those with more than a 10% decrease in body weight had a 114% higher risk.

A more than 10% decrease in waist circumference was associated with a 2.14-fold higher risk of all-cause mortality for men and a 34% higher risk of all-cause mortality for women.

There was no significant association between weight gain and increases in waist circumference and all-cause mortality.

The researchers state it is likely that weight loss is an early indicator of the presence of various life-shortening diseases. While weight loss may precede a cancer diagnosis, the study revealed that weight loss also precedes increased mortality from all causes, including deaths from cardiovascular disease, trauma, dementia, Parkinson's disease, and other less common causes.

[Bonemaker]

“...because you need to carry a little reserve at your age...”

That’s my rationale too!😎

[sauropod]

.

[Getready]

A complete no brainer. People who are getting seriously ill don’t want to eat as much. So they lose weight. And if cancer is growing that’s gonna consume more calories. If they have stomach cancer or gastrointestinal cancers that’s gonna be obvious. At least the researchers REALLY CEMENTED this notion down. Cutting edge research.

[stylin19a]

thanx for that...

[stylin19a]

thanx

[ckilmer]

Is Ozempic covered by medicare?

[stylin19a]

don’t know. I use V.A. for healthcare and they cover it. They don’t cover monjour(expensive - which I was looking for, as my daughter lost lbs. in a heartbeat)

[stylin19a]

maybe ? https://www.goodrx.com/ozempic/medicare-coverage

[GOPJ]

Using men with stable weight as a control, men with a 5% to 10% weight loss had a 33% higher risk of all-cause mortality, and those with more than a 10% decrease in body weight had a 289% higher risk.

Whoa! Talk about counterintuitive...

[RoosterRedux]

Look into Keto diet (very low carbs). The weight flies off and you will feel great.

It will (for most folks) eliminate the diabetes, lower your BP, lower your cholesterol. Add to that diet some gradually increasing exercise and you will feel and look terrific!

BTW, your doctor may be behind the times on this. Mine was...but now she's a believer.

[Ragnar54]

This explains type 2 diabetes and how to cure it:

The Diabetes Code

'
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'

Note that Dr. Fung has made the pdf edition of the book free. It is can also be purchased from Audible.

[Chuckster]

The article makes a great excuse for obese old people who just do not want to lose the weight.

[Getready]

Absolutely....there might be some congenital or genetic reasons or acquired reasons why the measures you mentioned might not be 100% effective but you are correct about their value to health. Worked well for me. Sadly, I like food, so it’s a constant battle.

[stylin19a]

thanks

[stylin19a]

thanks

[stylin19a]

i was thinkin the same thing.

[TigersEye]

My condolences over losing a friend.

I don’t know what Silver Sneakers is. A regime of walking or running for old people?

[MayflowerMadam]

“I don’t know what Silver Sneakers is.”

It’s an exercise program for seniors. I know my friend used it for a local gym, and I don’t know how much more it entails — maybe walking and running. I never did it. Some Medicare Advantage plans cover it.

[TigersEye]

OK, thanks. I should probably get involved in that but I don’t have Medicare Advantage.

I don’t suppose a lack of insurance is preventing me from walking though. :)

[Dave W]

If you read carefully, the weight loss does not appear to be from diets or intentional - they are just losing weight for no obvious reason, which is never a good sign. It’s always a good thing to intentionally lose weight. I used to have Type 2 and high blood pressure, but both are fine now.