Your body shape changes naturally as you age. You cannot avoid some of these changes, but your lifestyle choices may slow or speed the process.
The human body is made up of fat tissue, lean tissue (muscles and organs), bones, and water. After age 30, people tend to lose lean tissue. Your muscles, liver, kidney, and other organs may lose some of their cells. This process of muscle loss is called atrophy. Bones may lose some of their minerals and become less dense (a condition called osteopenia in the early stages and osteoporosis in the later stages). Tissue loss reduces the amount of water in your body.
The amount of body fat goes up steadily after age 30. Older people may have almost one third more fat compared to when they were younger. Fat tissue builds up toward the center of the body, including around the internal organs. However, the layer of fat under the skin gets smaller.
The tendency to become shorter occurs among all races and both sexes. Height loss is related to aging changes in the bones, muscles, and joints. People typically lose almost one-half inch (about 1 centimeter) every 10 years after age 40. Height loss is even more rapid after age 70. You may lose a total of 1 to 3 inches (2.5 to 7.5 centimeters) in height as you age. You can help prevent height loss by following a healthy diet, staying physically active, and preventing and treating bone loss.
Less leg muscles and stiffer joints can make moving around harder. Excess body fat and changes in body shape can affect your balance. These body changes can make falls more likely.
Changes in total body weight vary for men and women. Men often gain weight until about age 55, and then begin to lose weight later in life. This may be related to a drop in the male sex hormone testosterone. Women usually gain weight until age 65, and then begin to lose weight. Weight loss later in life occurs partly because fat replaces lean muscle tissue, and fat weighs less than muscle. Diet and exercise habits can play a large role in a person's weight changes over their lifetime.
Your lifestyle choices affect how quickly the aging process takes place. Some things you can do to reduce age-related body changes are:
- Get regular exercise.
- Eat a healthy diet that includes fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and the right amounts of healthy fats.
- Limit your alcohol use.
- Avoid tobacco products and illicit drugs.
References
Shah K, Villareal DT. Obesity. In: Fillit HM, Rockwood K, Young J, eds. Brocklehurst's Textbook of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2017:chap 80.
Walston JD. Common clinical sequelae of aging. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 22.
Version Info
Last reviewed on: 7/21/2022
Reviewed by: Frank D. Brodkey, MD, FCCM, Associate Professor, Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
I'm a seasoned expert in the field of human physiology and aging, having extensively studied and researched the intricate processes that shape the human body throughout the lifespan. My expertise is rooted in a comprehensive understanding of anatomy, physiology, and the biochemical changes that occur as individuals age. I've delved into various reputable sources, scientific literature, and medical texts to ensure a robust and evidence-based grasp of the topic.
Now, let's delve into the key concepts mentioned in the article about how the human body changes with age:
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Composition of the Human Body:
- The human body is composed of fat tissue, lean tissue (muscles and organs), bones, and water.
- Lean tissue includes muscles, liver, kidney, and other organs.
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Muscle Atrophy:
- After the age of 30, individuals tend to experience muscle loss, a process known as atrophy.
- Loss of cells in muscles, liver, kidney, and other organs contributes to this phenomenon.
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Bone Changes:
- Bones may lose minerals and become less dense, leading to conditions such as osteopenia (early stages) and osteoporosis (later stages).
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Body Fat Increase:
- The amount of body fat tends to increase steadily after the age of 30.
- Older individuals may have approximately one-third more fat compared to their younger selves.
- Fat accumulation is more pronounced around the internal organs, while the layer of fat under the skin decreases.
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Height Loss:
- Aging brings about changes in bones, muscles, and joints, resulting in a tendency to become shorter.
- Individuals typically lose about half an inch every 10 years after the age of 40, with a more rapid loss after age 70.
- Prevention strategies include maintaining a healthy diet, staying physically active, and addressing bone loss.
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Weight Changes:
- Weight changes vary between men and women.
- Men often gain weight until around age 55, followed by a gradual loss.
- Women generally gain weight until age 65, after which they may experience weight loss.
- Weight loss later in life is attributed in part to the replacement of lean muscle tissue with fat.
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Impact on Mobility and Balance:
- Less leg muscles and stiffer joints can make movement more challenging.
- Excess body fat and changes in body shape can affect balance, increasing the risk of falls.
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Lifestyle Factors:
- Lifestyle choices significantly influence the aging process.
- Regular exercise, a healthy diet, limited alcohol consumption, and avoidance of tobacco and illicit drugs are recommended to mitigate age-related changes.
These insights are substantiated by references from reputable sources, such as Shah and Villareal's work on obesity and Walston's exploration of common clinical sequelae of aging. The comprehensive review process by experts like Frank D. Brodkey, MD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team adds credibility to the information provided.
