New Findings About Obesity and Aging

Newswise — Caloric intake and body weight independently affect longevity, according to a UAB study published in the March 2004 International Journal of Obesity.

"Studies have shown that reducing caloric intake leads to a decrease in body weight and a decrease in mortality rate," says David B. Allison, Ph.D., professor of public health at UAB. "Therefore, it may seem reasonable to speculate that caloric restriction decreases your rate of mortality by reducing body weight, however, not all scientists agree."

Researchers found that body weight partially, but not fully, accounts for the effect of caloric restriction on mortality rate. The findings add to a growing storehouse of knowledge about the effects of caloric restriction and body weight on longevity.