Why Do People Gain Weight as They Age? (According to Dr. Giles Yeo)

Dr. Giles Yeo, a geneticist and professor at the University of Cambridge, is a leading expert in obesity, metabolism, and the science of weight regulation. His research focuses on how genes and brain function influence eating behavior and body weight. In his discussion, he outlined several key reasons why people tend to gain weight as they age. Based on the transcript, the primary factors include lifestyle changes, metabolic shifts, and changes in body composition, which all are backed by decades of scientific research.

1. Natural Weight Gain Over Time

Statistics:

  • Between ages 20 and 50, the average person gains about 15 kg (32 lbs).
  • This translates to about 1-2 pounds per year over time.

We naturally gain weight as we get older, and this is influenced by multiple factors, not just metabolism.

2. Muscle Mass Decline (Sarcopenia)

Muscles burn more calories than fat. When we lose muscle, our metabolism slows down.

What Happens?

  • As people age, they naturally lose muscle mass, leading to a slower metabolism.
  • Muscle is metabolically active, meaning it burns calories even when resting.
  • When muscle mass decreases, fewer calories are burned, leading to gradual weight gain.

The most metabolically active part of your body is your muscle. If you lose muscle mass, your metabolism slows down, and you start gaining fat.

Solution: Strength training and resistance exercises can help maintain muscle mass and prevent weight gain.

 

3. Metabolism and Energy Expenditure

Misconception: Metabolism Drops at 40 or 50

  • Dr. Yeo explained that metabolism remains relatively stable until around age 60.
  • However, energy expenditure naturally decreases because of reduced physical activity.
  • People also move less and burn fewer calories, contributing to weight gain.

Example:

  • When we are younger, we move around more (running, playing sports, walking a lot).
  • As we age, we spend more time sitting and engaging in sedentary activities.

Our metabolism doesn’t start to slow down drastically until around age 60, but we tend to move less as we age, which leads to weight gain.

4. Increased Food Intake and Higher-Calorie Diets

We eat more as we age, but we don’t move as much!

Factors contributing to increased calorie intake:

  • More disposable income → eating out more often, consuming richer foods.
  • Less time for meal prep → reliance on processed or convenience foods.
  • Cultural habits → big meals, alcohol consumption, and social eating events.

As we get older, we tend to have more money and can afford richer, more calorie-dense foods.

Solution: Being mindful of portion sizes and food quality can help counteract this.

 

5. Hormonal Changes and Appetite Regulation

Hormonal shifts that make weight gain easier:

  • Leptin (satiety hormone) decreases → makes people feel less full.
  • Ghrelin (hunger hormone) increases → makes people feel hungrier.
  • Cortisol (stress hormone) increases → leads to fat storage, especially around the belly.
  • Changes in insulin sensitivity → can lead to easier fat storage.

As we age, our hormonal balance shifts, making it easier to gain weight and harder to lose it.

Solution: Maintaining stable blood sugar levels through a balanced diet with protein, fiber, and healthy fats.

6. Lifestyle Changes and Sedentary Behavior

Less movement = More weight gain

Why do we move less as we get older?

  • Work and family responsibilities → less time for exercise.
  • More screen time (TV, computers, smartphones).
  • Less spontaneous movement (e.g., fewer social activities, sports, or physically active hobbies).

We tend to sit more as we get older—more meetings, more desk work, more Netflix. And when you sit more, you burn fewer calories.

Solution: Incorporating more daily movement (walking, standing desks, stretching, small workouts).

7. The Brain Resists Weight Loss

Your brain doesn’t like losing weight! What happens when you try to diet?

  • Your brain perceives weight loss as a threat to survival.
  • It slows down metabolism and makes you feel hungrier.
  • Once you stop dieting, weight often rebounds higher than before.

The moment you lose weight, your brain starts working against you, making you hungrier and slowing your metabolism.

Solution: Instead of extreme diets, focus on long-term, sustainable habits.

How to Prevent Weight Gain as You Age

  • Maintain muscle mass – Strength training at least 2-3 times per week.
  • Stay active daily – Walk more, take the stairs, avoid sitting for long periods.
  • Eat high-protein, high-fiber foods – Helps keep you full and supports metabolism.
  • Manage portion sizes – Be mindful of calorie-dense foods.
  • Prioritize sleep and stress management – Reduces cravings and hormonal imbalances.

Key Takeaways

  • Muscle mass decreases → Lower metabolism → Weight gain
  • Metabolism remains stable until 60, but activity level drops earlier
  • Higher calorie intake + Less movement = Gradual weight gain
  • Hormonal changes make weight management harder
  • The brain resists weight loss, leading to weight regain

Aging makes weight gain more likely, but the good news is, small lifestyle changes can make a big difference!

Final Thought

You don’t have to gain weight just because you’re getting older. The key is small, consistent lifestyle adjustments!

Knowledge about Body Contouring and Weight Loss

Why people gain weight when getting older

Dr. Giles Yeo explains that weight gain with age is not just about slower metabolism. In fact, metabolism remains stable until around age 60. Instead, factors like muscle loss, reduced activity, hormonal changes, and increased calorie intake play a much bigger role.

Continue Reading

Zizzling Your Shape During Festive Eating

The holiday season is a time for celebration, but it often leads to overeating and weight gain. With festive gatherings filled with delicious food and treats, it’s easy to indulge more than usual. Social pressures, emotional eating, and the abundance of rich dishes can make it hard to stick to healthy habits. However, body sculpting treatments like Emsculpt, CoolSculpting, Exilis, and Indiba can help you manage your shape during this indulgent time. These non-invasive options target stubborn fat and build muscle, allowing you to enjoy the festivities while feeling confident about your body. Discover how these treatments can support your wellness goals this holiday season!

Continue Reading
Body Contouring Comparison

Body Contouring Comparison

When considering body contouring treatments, it can be confusing to choose between options like Exilis Ultra 360, Emsculpt, Indiba, and Cristal CoolSculpting, as each uses different technologies and provides unique benefits. To help you understand how these treatments compare in terms of purpose, key benefits, and treatment areas, here’s a table that breaks down the essential details of each option, so you can make an informed decision on which one suits your goals best:

Continue Reading