Why Do We Gain Weight as We Age?

Your skin is not the only one that changes as you age. While it does show the most visible ones due to thinner, drier, and less elastic skin, your body shape also exhibits noticeable changes, with fat increasing naturally with age. But why does this happen? Why do we gain more weight as we age? What can we do to maintain our ideal weight?

Calorie requirement with aging

One important thing to remember about getting older is that the body requires fewer calories. This is why eating the same amount as you get older can lead to extra kilos or weight gain, especially around the belly. In fact, a study published in Nature Aging suggests that reducing calorie intake could slow down the aging process in healthy adults. 

One of the main reasons we need fewer calories is because as we age, muscle mass gradually decreases and fat increases. As muscle tissue burns more calories than fat, you will need to cut back on calories to keep your usual or ideal weight. Calories, however, are not everything when you’re trying to stay healthy as you age.

For further reading: Stubborn Deposits: Why Are Some Fats Harder to Lose Than Others?

Increased fat with aging or age-related weight gain

There are three main factors that can contribute to weight gain as you age. These include:

Metabolism slows down – Metabolism includes all chemical processes that happen in the body’s cells. One of these processes is converting food and drink into energy to sustain vital body functions. Research has proven that metabolism slows down with age and is often blamed for weight gain later in life. 

Factors that contribute to this include:

• Less physical activity – not moving enough can contribute to weight gain and diseases that can further cause slowing down of metabolism.
• Loss of muscles – aging causes us to naturally lose muscle mass, resulting in slow calorie burning.
• Gender and genetics – Due to having more muscle mass, men typically have faster metabolism and less body fat. Also, genes play a role in determining your muscle size and ability to grow muscles. Less muscle mass can slow your metabolism.

Hormonal changes – Hormones are chemical messengers that help control various biological processes. Fluctuations in them can sometimes result in unexpected weight gain that can be difficult to lose and keep off. During menopause, for instance, a decrease in estrogen is associated with increased fat stores (around the midsection) for women.

In addition, a decrease in testosterone for both men and women is linked to lower muscle mass, which slows metabolism and increases body fat. Other conditions that can cause hormonal changes and weight gain include polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), thyroid deficiencies, diabetes, prolonged stress, and certain medical treatments. 

For further reading: The Truth About Menopausal Weight Gain and Increased Belly Fat

Changes in body composition – As previously mentioned, aging causes a decrease in muscle mass and an increase in fat mass. After the age of 30, the amount of body fat also goes up, which is why many people notice more weight or changes in their body shape when compared to when they were younger. 

It is also common for fat tissue to accumulate around the midsection, including around the internal organs. A certain amount of this fat is okay, but having too much can have negative effects on your health. 

Fighting back against age-related weight gain

Some of the changes in our body are unavoidable, but making positive changes in your lifestyle choices may help slow down the process. Some of the things that can help include: 

• Staying active – get regular exercise. Include strength training in your routine, about two or more days per week with 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise.
• Eat a healthy diet – include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and right amounts of healthy fat. Take note that older adults also need more protein to support muscle health. 
• Limit alcohol use – alcohol dehydrates the skin and slows down fat burning. Also, with less muscle mass as you age, the liver doesn’t process alcohol as it used to. This means more alcohol stays in your bloodstream, causing the effects to be stronger. 
• Quit smoking if you do – this habit damages nearly every organ in the body. Quitting can improve your health and quality of life by improving your sense of taste and smell and reducing your risk of serious health conditions. 

Don’t hesitate to see a healthcare provider if you’re bothered with weight gain or think that your metabolism is slow. They will diagnose the issue and help you find the right treatment for your age and body. 

How Sanctuary by Cutis can help

Maintaining healthy habits is always the way to go. If you, however, need help in contouring or shaping your physique, we can help. Sanctuary by Cutis offers a range of non-surgical body treatments that can help reduce stubborn fat, tone muscles, and improve skin laxity. 

• CoolSculpting Elite – uses fat freezing to reduce target and eliminate fat cells in different stubborn areas of the body, or fat bulges that are resistant to diet and exercise. 
• Vanquish ME – uses contactless radiofrequency energy to target and kill fat cells. It is US FDA-cleared for circumference reduction in the abdomen and thighs. 
• Acoustic shockwave therapy – uses radial shockwaves or acoustic wave pulses to break down fat and cellulite. This can also help with collagen production to improve skin texture and firmness.
• ThermoSculpt – uses diathermy and faradic muscle contraction for muscle toning, fat burning, and skin laxity improvement. It can define and sculpt your figure for total body reinvention. 

Want to get help in getting the body you’ve always wanted? Healthy habits with bob-invasive body shaping procedures can help! Contact Sanctuary by Cutis via WhatsApp at +65 9780 2079 to learn more or book an appointment.