Those extra pounds were packed on in early adulthood: The average American gained about 17.6 pounds from their mid-20s to mid-30s, the study found. Meanwhile, the average person gained about 14.3 pounds between their 30s and 40s, 9.5 pounds between their 40s and 50s, and 4.6 pounds between their 50s and 60s.
Men tend to gain weight until age 55, and then slowly start to lose it in the years that follow. This could be because men produce less testosterone after this age. Women, on the other hand, usually stop gaining weight once they hit age 65.
Weight gain is common as we age. As you move through your 20s on to your 30s, you may notice subtle changes in your waistline, and an increasing tendency to gain weight. We should however be mindful that metabolic rate does change as we get older because of the decline in our muscle mass.
In fact, women's bodies start to change in the late 30s and early 40s, for a couple reasons: 1. Fat is a source of estrogen. Starting in our late 30s or early 40s, our bodies' estrogen levels begin to drop because our ovaries slowly start making less.
Study shows that younger people and women are more likely to put on extra pounds. A study that examined the long-term weight gain of more than 13,800 U.S. adults found that on average, people gained about 17 pounds between their twenties and thirties.
"Weight normally continues to increase annually in your 20s, mostly due to increase in body fat compared to teen years. Still, it's important to keep in mind that a normal weight is to have a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9," Dr. Sophocles says.
Metabolic rate remains stable all through adult life, from age 20 to 60 years old.
Over time, studies have shown that metabolic rate (how fast we burn calories) starts to slow down by 2 to 3 percent each decade, beginning in our 20s. It becomes more noticeable between ages 40 and 60.
Most people don't grow any taller after the age of 20, but a recent study published in the Journal of Orthopaedic Research found evidence that the pelvis -- the hip bones -- continues to widen in both men and women up to about age 80, long after skeletal growth is supposed to have stopped.
Sudden weight gain -- 2-3 pounds in a day or more than 5 pounds a week -- could mean it's getting worse. You also might have swollen feet and ankles, a faster pulse, heavy breathing, high blood pressure, memory loss, and confusion. You might want to track these symptoms so you can tell your doctor about abrupt changes.
Unintentional weight gain occurs when you put on weight without increasing your consumption of food or liquid and without decreasing your activity. This occurs when you're not trying to gain weight. It's often due to fluid retention, abnormal growths, constipation, or pregnancy.
As you age, your muscle mass decreases and your fat mass increases. Fat is less metabolically active than muscle—you don't need as many calories to maintain fat as you do to maintain muscle. Hormonal changes can also lead to weight gain.
The aging process brings about many changes in body composition, often without concomitant changes in body weight and body mass index (BMI) [1]. In general, as individuals age, percent body fat increases and lean mass and bone mineral density decrease.
New study says decline begins in our 50s
Researchers with Duke University's School of Medicine suggest that physical decline begins in the decade of the 50s and worsens as we age, especially for those who don't exercise.
"The biggest thing people do that slows their metabolism down is eating too few calories," said Fiore. 1200 calories per day is roughly the amount you need to perform basic functions, she suggested, and when a person eats fewer than that, the metabolism slows down to conserve energy.
A High-Fat Diet
Foods high in fat are difficult to digest and can slow down metabolism. Carbohydrate-rich foods like potatoes, full-fat curd, parathas, a plate of brown rice, and whole milk can also help slow down a fast metabolism.
As metabolic rate increases the lifespan of an organism is expected to decrease as well.
Even though it's better to form healthier habits early, as the research study and patient story shows, it's never too late to make dietary changes that can lead to a healthier life.
How much younger? Twin studies revealed that a person who has a BMI 4 points higher can look 2-4 years younger. The reason is that the face naturally loses fat as we get older. Features such as full lips and round cheeks are associated with youth.
"Many people in their 20s might thus notice subtle changes to how their body is shaped or rests compared to when they were in their teens," adds Dr Kennedy. "It's natural and normal to notice slight incremental weight gain as we move through the mid to late 20s."
No, you're not just imagining it: Your hips really do get wider as you get older, according to a new study. Even though most people stop growing in height by the time they hit age 20, researchers have found evidence that the hip bones can keep growing even as people enter their 70s.