Subject: The relation between aging and weight gain
Most people experience a struggle with weight gain as they advance in age. Up until this point, it has been unclear why exactly we have trouble to keep our weight down. However, a recent study at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden shows us a possible explanation. It turns out that Lipid turnover in fat tissue declines as we age. It makes it easier to obtain weight; even if we don't consume more food or don't have a more limited exercise regime than before.
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For this study researchers analyzed the fat cells in 54 men and women during a time period of 13 years. In that time, all subjects, despite whether they gained weight or not, displayed reductions in lipid turnover in their fat tissue.
Research subject that did not compensate for this reduction in lipid turnover by eating fewer calories grew in weight averaging at approximately 20 percent of their mass.
In addition, researchers further examined lipid turnover in 41 women that underwent weight-loss surgery (or bariatric surgery), by, for example, reducing their stomach size by placing a gastric band. Results showed that only women that had a low lipid turnover before they underwent surgery were able to improve their lipid turnover and henceforth were able to preserve their weight loss.
Previous research has shown that a way to speed up the lipid turnover is by way of increased exercise. This new study confirms that notion and further. In order to stay fit and keep your weight down, it is imperative that you keep as much physically active as possible.
Peter Arner, one of the study's main authors, stated that these newly required insights could be the start of new ways to tackle obesity.
Sources and further reading: Study: "Adipose lipid turnover and long term changes in body weight," / Karolinska Institutet press release / bariatic surgery
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