Aging Changes in Body Shape

Aging changes

Fat (adipose) tissue is increasingly deposited toward the center of the body, including around the abdominal organs. The adipose tissue under the skin (subcutaneous fat) is decreased.

Lean body mass also decreases. The muscles, liver, kidney, and other organs lose some of their cells (atrophy). Bones lose some of their minerals and become less dense. Tissue atrophy decreases the amount of water in the body.

Height progressively decreases. 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.

The average height loss is 1 cm (about 0.4 inches) for every 10 years after age 40, and height loss is even greater after 70 years old. In total, aging may cause a loss of 1 to 3 inches in height.

Men often gain weight until about age 50, then begin to lose weight. Women usually gain weight until age 70, then begin to lose weight. Weight loss is, in part, caused by a loss of muscle tissue.

Some weight loss is caused by loss of subcutaneous fat stores. Part of the weight loss is caused by loss of bone tissue. Loss of body water also contributes to weight loss. If your appetite is poor (which is common among many older people), weight loss can be even more pronounced.