Modest Weight Loss in Midlife Can Slash Risk of Disease & Early Death, per Study
New research suggests even modest weight loss in your 40s, achieved without surgery or medication, can lead to lasting reductions in chronic disease and early death risk
Losing weight in your 40s without drugs or surgery may meaningfully lower your risk of chronic illness and early death, according to a new study from the University of Helsinki published this month in JAMA Network Open.
What makes the findings stand out is that the benefits extended well beyond diabetes prevention. But perhaps the most notable takeaway is that it doesn’t take much: a sustained weight loss of just 6.5% of body weight was linked to long-term health benefits — a modest drop compared to the more dramatic weight loss typically seen with GLP-1 medications or bariatric surgery.
The study tracked more than 23,000 individuals in Finland and the U.K., focusing on people aged 40 to 50 at the time of weight assessment. Over a follow-up period of 12 to 35 years, researchers found that overweight men and women who lost an average of 6.5% of their body weight and moved from overweight to a healthy BMI had a lower chance of developing major health problems such as heart attacks, strokes, cancer, asthma and lung disease. They also faced a reduced risk of death from any cause compared with people who remained overweight.
Although the study’s participants were predominantly White and European (a limitation when considering broader applicability) the findings may offer a valuable starting point for understanding the long-term impact of lifestyle-driven weight loss.
“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,” lead author and Professor Timo Strandberg said in a release.
He added that he hopes the findings will inspire people to see that lifestyle changes can lead to major health improvements and 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.