Latest news with #TimoStrandberg
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Weight loss in your 40s and 50s can help slash your chronic disease risk, researchers say
Working to lose weight in your 40s and 50s may help to reduce your risk of developing a chronic disease, a new study reveals. Researchers based in the U.K. and Finland say they found health benefits in people who lost an average of 6.5 percent of their body weight in early middle age and maintained that weight loss throughout a period of 12 to 35 years. Those benefits especially include a lessened risk for cardiovascular disease and diabetes as well as an overall lower risk of death from chronic disease. 'The benefits of lifestyle-based weight management are widely discussed even though studies have found it surprisingly difficult to demonstrate health benefits beyond the prevention of diabetes,' University of Helsinki professor Dr. Timo Strandberg said in a statement. Strandberg was the lead author of the study which was published recently in the journal JAMA Network Open, the open-access journal of the American Medical Association. To reach these conclusions, the study tracked and analyzed the health of 23,000 white Europeans who were between the ages of 30 and 50 years old using data from three studies, conducted from 1985 to 1988, from 1964 to 1973, and between 2000 and 2013. They sorted the participants into four groups: people with persistent healthy weight, people who were overweight but became a healthy weight, people who were healthy and became overweight, and people who were overweight the entire time. 'Measurement of weight and height was conducted at a time when surgical and pharmacological weight-loss interventions were nearly nonexistent,' the authors noted. The cause of weight loss was not assessed, but given the age of the participants and lack of diagnosed disease, it was more likely intentional than caused by severe chronic conditions or frailty.' In one study, a reduction in body mass from overweight to normal weight over six years in mid-life was tied to a lower risk of developing chronic diseases. There was also a 48 percent lower risk for chronic illness compared to those who remained overweight, which largely held even after excluding participants who developed diabetes during follow-up. Another study showed a 57 percent risk for chronic illness. A third study, with the longest follow-up period, showed that weight loss in mid-life was associated with a 19 percent reduction in overall mortality. 'I'm certain that overall prevention of overweight and obesity starting in early life is absolutely the best thing to do,' Stranberg told The Independent. 'Our study indirectly proves this by showing that persistent healthy weight over the life-course is best.' He said that he hopes the findings will inspire people to see that lifestyle changes can lead to a longer life. 'This is particularly important today as more people are overweight than when the collection of our research data began 35 years ago,' he said in the statement.
The Independent
2 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
Weight loss in your 40s and 50s can help slash your chronic disease risk, researchers say
Working to lose weight in your 40s and 50s may help to reduce your risk of developing a chronic disease, a new study reveals. Researchers based in the U.K. and Finland say they found health benefits in people who lost an average of 6.5 percent of their body weight in early middle age and maintained that weight loss throughout a period of 12 to 35 years. Those benefits especially include a lessened risk for cardiovascular disease and diabetes as well as an overall lower risk of death from chronic disease. 'The benefits of lifestyle-based weight management are widely discussed even though studies have found it surprisingly difficult to demonstrate health benefits beyond the prevention of diabetes,' University of Helsinki professor Dr. Timo Strandberg said in a statement. Strandberg was the lead author of the study which was published recently in the journal JAMA Network Open, the open-access journal of the American Medical Association. To reach these conclusions, the study tracked and analyzed the health of 23,000 white Europeans who were between the ages of 30 and 50 years old using data from three studies, conducted from 1985 to 1988, from 1964 to 1973, and between 2000 and 2013. They sorted the participants into four groups: people with persistent healthy weight, people who were overweight but became a healthy weight, people who were healthy and became overweight, and people who were overweight the entire time. 'Measurement of weight and height was conducted at a time when surgical and pharmacological weight-loss interventions were nearly nonexistent,' the authors noted. The cause of weight loss was not assessed, but given the age of the participants and lack of diagnosed disease, it was more likely intentional than caused by severe chronic conditions or frailty.' In one study, a reduction in body mass from overweight to normal weight over six years in mid-life was tied to a lower risk of developing chronic diseases. There was also a 48 percent lower risk for chronic illness compared to those who remained overweight, which largely held even after excluding participants who developed diabetes during follow-up. Another study showed a 57 percent risk for chronic illness. A third study, with the longest follow-up period, showed that weight loss in mid-life was associated with a 19 percent reduction in overall mortality. 'I'm certain that overall prevention of overweight and obesity starting in early life is absolutely the best thing to do,' Stranberg told The Independent. 'Our study indirectly proves this by showing that persistent healthy weight over the life-course is best.' He said that he hopes the findings will inspire people to see that lifestyle changes can lead to a longer life. 'This is particularly important today as more people are overweight than when the collection of our research data began 35 years ago,' he said in the statement.
Medscape
6 days ago
- Health
- Medscape
Weight Loss in 40s or 50s? Slash Your Chronic Disease Risk
People who reduce excess weight in midlife can roughly halve their risk of developing chronic disease later in life. That's the conclusion of three long-term studies from the UK and Finland, analyzed by a team led by Timo E. Strandberg, MD, PhD, professor of geriatrics at the University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland, and chief physician at its university hospital. The findings, based on more than 23,000 participants, were published in JAMA Network Open . Although the negative effects of obesity on health are well known, 'Few studies have examined long-term health benefits among individuals with sustained weight loss beyond its association with decreased diabetes risk,' wrote Strandberg and colleagues. Their analysis also looked at heart attack, stroke, cancer, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and overall mortality. No Weight-Loss Drugs or Surgery Needed 'This publication again powerfully demonstrates that people have a large degree of control over their own health and can protect themselves from many illnesses — including age-related diseases — by preventing or reducing excess weight,' said Stephan Martin, MD, chief physician for diabetology of the Catholic Hospital Group Düsseldorf and director of the West-German Centre of Diabetes and Health, Düsseldorf, Germany, in an interview with Medscape's German edition . 'Another encouraging takeaway is that these results were achieved without weight-loss injections or surgical interventions,' Martin added. Commenting on the analysis, Ga Eun Nam, MD, PhD, of Korea University College of Medicine in Seoul, Republic of Korea, and Yong-Moon Park, MD, PhD, of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock, Arkansas, noted that individuals who reached a healthy weight in midlife had long-term health outcomes comparable with those who maintained a healthy weight throughout adulthood. Martin put it more simply: 'It's always worth losing weight.' Even those who reach a normal weight at 50 — or later — can still see health benefits. Follow-Up Spanning Several Decades Strandberg and his team evaluated three longitudinal studies that included repeated measurements of height and weight: The Whitehall II Study, launched in 1985 (4118 participants; 72.1% men) The Helsinki Businessmen Study, launched in 1964 (2335 male participants) The Finnish Public Sector Study, with data starting from 2000 (16,696 participants; 82.6% women) The follow-up periods ranged from 12 to 35 years. Participants, with an average starting age of about 40, were divided into four groups: Those with consistently normal weight (BMI < 25) Those who reduced from overweight to normal weight Those who gained weight (normal to overweight) Those who remained overweight (BMI ≥ 25) Diabetes Risk Not the Only One Reduced In the Whitehall II Study, with an average follow-up of 22.8 years, a BMI reduction from ≥ 25 to < 25 over approximately 6 years in midlife was associated with a lower risk of developing chronic diseases. After adjusting for potential confounders such as smoking, blood pressure, and lipid levels, the researchers calculated a 48% lower risk for chronic illness compared to those who remained overweight. Remarkably, this association held even after excluding participants who developed diabetes during follow-up. In that case, the risk reduction was 42%. The Finnish Public Sector Study, with a 12.2-year follow-up, confirmed the findings, showing a 57% reduced risk for chronic illness. Effects Independent of Gender and Hormonal Status The Helsinki Businessmen Study, which had the longest follow-up (up to 43 years; mean, 35 years), showed that weight loss in midlife was associated with a 19% reduction in overall mortality. Separate analyses by sex revealed that the association held for both men and women. Even menopausal status did not significantly affect the outcomes: Similar protective effects were observed in women younger and older than 50 years. Midlife as a Critical Window for Intervention 'As we continue facing the global obesity epidemic, this study provides valuable epidemiologic evidence on long-term associations between weight management and major health outcomes,' wrote Nam and Park. While further research is needed to refine intervention strategies, 'these results highlight midlife as a potentially critical window for weight management and reinforce the importance of sustained weight management in chronic disease prevention and longevity.' The study was conducted in a time when neither surgical nor pharmacologic weight loss interventions were common. 'Sustained midlife weight loss compared with persistent overweight was associated with a decreased risk of chronic diseases beyond type 2 diabetes and decreased all-cause mortality,' Strandberg and colleagues concluded. Diet as the Main Lever Martin said the findings confirm the importance of lifestyle in achieving and maintaining a healthy weight. 'Most chronic diseases caused by obesity stem from lack of physical activity and poor diet,' he noted. Foods that spike blood glucose and insulin levels should be avoided. 'Insulin inhibits fat breakdown, so it contributes to weight gain,' he explained. A long-term strategy for staying lean and healthy, Martin said, includes minimizing intake of white bread, fries, chips, chocolate, soda, and other highly processed foods.
The Star
16-06-2025
- Health
- The Star
Midlife is a great time to lose weight so get going
The most significant benefits of weight loss are neither immediate nor spectacular as it takes decades to see effects. — dpa Is losing weight still worthwhile after the age of 40? A large Finnish study published in the medical journal JAMA Network Open dispels any doubts. It claims that losing weight in your 40s drastically reduces the risk of chronic diseases and prolongs life, even without extreme dieting. To reach these conclusions, researchers at the University of Helsinki compiled data from three major studies conducted among British and Finnish populations. In total, more than 23,000 people were followed for 22 to 35 years, an exceptionally long period that allows for the observation of real health impacts. It appears that adults who lost weight in their 40s reduced their risk of chronic disease by 48% and their risk of death by 19%. These benefits go far beyond the prevention of diabetes, which has already been established by other research. Losing weight at this age also reduces the risk of heart attack, stroke, cancer, asthma and lung disease. These protective effects persist even when researchers exclude diabetes from their calculations. Importantly, this study was conducted at a time when bariatric surgery and weight-loss drugs were relatively rare. Participants therefore achieved these results solely through diet and exercise, methods that are accessible to everyone. 'The benefits of lifestyle-based weight management are widely discussed even though studies have found it surprisingly difficult to demonstrate health benefits beyond the prevention of diabetes,' study co-author, Professor Timo Strandberg said in a news release. However, maintaining weight loss over the long term remains a major challenge, as the figures from this study illustrate. Indeed, only 96 British participants and 188 Finnish participants managed to lose weight and keep it off, compared to more than 1,200 who remained overweight throughout the study period. This study also highlights a little-known aspect of weight loss. Contrary to popular belief, the most significant benefits are neither immediate nor spectacular. The most significant effects can take decades to become apparent, which explains why such a long follow-up period was needed to identify them. The message is therefore clear for anyone who's overweight in their 40s: while maintaining a healthy weight throughout life remains the ideal, it's never too late to start taking action. In fact, even modest but sustainable weight loss can pay big dividends in the long run and add precious years to your life. – AFP Relaxnews
Hindustan Times
29-05-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Losing just 6 kg in your 40s could lower your risk of disease and add years to your life: Study
You might think that once you hit your 40s, it's too late to lose weight and make a real difference but a massive Finnish study tracking over 23,000 people for up to 35 years says otherwise. The research found that adults who lost weight naturally during their 40s without surgery or weight-loss meds lived longer and enjoyed better health than those who stayed overweight. Even small amounts of weight loss had a positive impact, proving it's never too late to take control of your health. (Also read: What women should really eat: Nutritionist busts 16 common diet and weight loss myths every woman should know ) A recent study published in JAMA Network Open revealed that people who moved from being overweight to a healthy weight during midlife experienced a 48% lower risk of chronic diseases and a 19 percent lower risk of death in the following decades. The weight loss didn't have to be drastic either, on average, participants lost just 6.5 percent of their body weight, which is about 13 pounds for someone weighing 200 pounds. This study tracked participants for 22 to 35 years, using data from British and Finnish workers. They were grouped by weight changes in their 40s: healthy weight, weight loss, weight gain, or staying overweight. Although small, the weight loss group showed significant health benefits. Over time, losing weight lowered risks of heart disease, cancer, strokes, asthma, and lung disease, even when diabetes was excluded, compared to those who stayed overweight. The study's timing is key, conducted when surgical and drug-based weight-loss options were rare, participants relied on diet and exercise alone, proving these accessible methods work. Lead author Dr. Timo Strandberg noted the benefits of midlife weight loss may take decades to show, echoing similar long-term findings from Chinese research. Those who lost weight also saw lower blood pressure and cholesterol and kept up their physical activity, unlike other groups whose activity declined. Maintaining weight loss over time is tough, in these studies, over 1,200 participants stayed overweight, while only a small fraction managed to lose weight and keep it off. Many research reports highlight how challenging long-term weight management really is for adults. However, the findings mostly apply to white European populations, so their relevance to other ethnic groups might vary. The researchers also couldn't confirm whether the weight loss was intentional, though it likely was given the participants' age and health. Many expect weight loss benefits to show up quickly and dramatically, but this study says otherwise. The biggest health gains from losing weight in midlife may take decades to appear. Knowing this can encourage those starting their journey now while helping set realistic expectations. For those in their 40s carrying extra weight, the message is clear: it's never too late to make a change. Even modest, steady weight loss can bring lasting health benefits, adding years and vitality to life. Instead of seeing midlife as too late for change, it could be the ideal time to invest in your future health. Though losing weight can become harder with age, the potential rewards in disease prevention and longevity make the effort well worth it.
