Carrying a few additional pounds may be healthy as we get older
You may have heard of the obesity paradox—the concept that older adults who are overweight or even mildly obese may have better health outcomes than those who are at a “normal” weight. While there’s evidence to support the idea that current standards for overweight don’t apply to older adults, it doesn’t mean that weight doesn’t matter.
“Older adults with obesity will still be at greater risk for chronic health conditions, such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes,” says Kathryn Starr, PhD, an associate professor of medicine at the Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development at Duke University School of Medicine in Durham, N.C. But, she says, carrying a few extra pounds may give you something in reserve if you have an illness, a surgery, or a fall.
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November 24, 2025