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Weight loss and age

Weight loss
Weight loss

Definition

Alternative Names

Age and weight loss

Information

Question:

Why does it get harder to lose weight with age?

Answer:

One must burn more calories than one takes in to lose weight at any age. This can be done either with caloric restriction or with exercise. Although metabolism slows down somewhat as we age, increasing weight with age is usually due to a drop off in activity while dietary habits stay the same or get worse.

See also:

Review Date: 11/13/2007
Reviewd By: Michael Langan, M.D., Department of Geriatrics, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.