Why is it harder to lose weight with age?

Author: Margarita Kuts - doctor-dietitian, gastroenterologist, and body mesotherapist.
2014-03-26

Very often, my patients are people over 30. It is at this age that it is easiest to gain extra kilograms and harder to get rid of them. The reason for this lies in the physiology of the human body.

In youth, metabolism functions quite differently. I remember being able to come home late from a party, eat something "harmful," and go straight to bed. And, magically, nothing was stored as fat! But now? Just party a bit during the holidays, and the scale inevitably starts climbing up! The thing is, the first age-related changes in the body begin around 30-35 years old, and metabolism is no exception.

Age-related reasons for weight gain

1. As we age, the body's ability to burn fat decreases. Appetite, on the other hand, tends to increase! Every 10 years, energy expenditure decreases by 10% because the function of all organs and systems declines. This should be taken into account when forming your diet.

2. Additionally, with age, the sensitivity of the appetite center in the brain decreases. People start to eat more and more and often overeat. As a result, this becomes a chronic process, which is not only an aesthetic issue but also poses a danger to health.

3. Obesity in older individuals is exacerbated by the fact that due to the accumulation of fatty acids, glucose is not properly absorbed. As a result, the pancreas begins to produce insulin to help tissues absorb glucose, but a large portion of that glucose is transformed into fat through complex biochemical processes. Naturally, this greatly increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and other health problems.

4. The older we get, the more our reaction to stress situations changes. In youth, stress caused us to lose weight. But by the age of 35, the situation changes. This happens because specific hormones (corticosteroids) are produced in the adrenal glands during stressful situations. These hormones gradually damage our bodies. If a young body can still cope with the influence of corticosteroids for a long time, as we age, this task becomes increasingly difficult. As the body can no longer cope alone, it produces a lot of insulin, leading to increased hunger and fat storage.

5. Of course, it is worth noting that our lifestyle also changes with age. In youth, a person sets goals, learns, and strives for something. In older age, life often becomes cyclical: home – work – store – home.

6. Physical activity significantly decreases in this period. We walk less and drive more. Sometimes it even becomes absurd. One of my patients confessed to me that if possible, he would drive to the bathroom! Both funny and sad! How we all love comfort!

How often do I hear from my patients: “What do you mean, doctor? Get up an hour earlier? And walk? That's so hard; I feel sorry for myself!”

I think it would be much more regrettable to one day find that you can’t fit into your favorite clothes, suffer from constant shortness of breath, joint pain, excessive sweating, and other problems that trail along with excess kilograms.

After all, age is not a sentence! Caring for yourself and your health is necessary at any age. It's important to monitor your diet, lead an active lifestyle, spend more time outdoors, and seek as many positive emotions as possible. When a person is active and has different hobbies and interests, they simply have no time to think about food. Conversely, if they lack positive emotions, they begin to seek comfort in the fridge.

Remember, we eat to live, not live to eat! Fill your life with meaning every day because we only have one. Good luck!!!