Highlights
- •The evidence indicates that intentional weight loss offers improvements in health.
- •We reviewed the association between intentional weight loss and mortality in middle-aged and older adults (i.e., those aged 50 years or more).
- •No clear association was found between losing weight intentionally and mortality in middle-aged and older adults.
- •More information is required in this area, as account needs to be taken of the many confounding factors.
Abstract
The literature on the association between intentional weight loss and mortality rates
has yielded controversial results, especially when it comes to older groups. The aim
of the present narrative review was the critical evaluation of studies exploring the
association between intentional weight loss and mortality in middle-aged and older
adults (i.e., those aged 50 years or more). The majority of the longitudinal studies
identified concluded that losing weight intentionally is not associated with mortality
in middle-aged and older adults. However, when it comes to younger adults at the recruitment
point, the studies have yielded more mixed results. In any case, more well-designed
longitudinal studies and randomized clinical trials are needed in the area, with long
follow-up periods and taking into account the underlying disease states.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: August 03, 2022
Accepted:
July 27,
2022
Received in revised form:
July 22,
2022
Received:
May 24,
2022
Identification
Copyright
© 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
