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A new study suggests that older women of a healthy weight, who are not dieting, need at least 60 minutes of moderate activity to prevent weight gain.
Approximately 34,000 women were followed for 13 years and most were not on calorie-restricted diets. The women were at least 45 years-old and the average age was 54 years. The women who gained little or no weight during the study started out with a body mass index of 25 or lower (no more than 150 pounds for a 5'5 woman) and performed at least 60 minutes of moderate activity on a daily basis. The study cited brisk walking, leisurely bicycling and golfing as examples of moderate activity.
Weight gain is quite common in older adults because the metabolism slows with age and activity levels tend to decrease. But women in particular undergo hormonal changes in menopause that can make it more difficult to maintain an ideal weight.
Head researcher Dr. I. Min Lee says women who eat a normal diet and are already at a normal weight can avoid middle-age weight gain by working out intensely for 30 minutes a day. "If you are willing to sweat it out you can do less," Lee said. However, overweight or obese women will need to exercise longer as well as cut calories in order to control weight.
The study is being published in the March 24/31 edition of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Find out how one older woman beat the battle of the bulge: Check out tomorrow's post at the Fit Esteem blog.
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