Shedding just five per cent of your body weight in middle age could restore your heart health to that of someone who has never been overweight, research suggests.
Scientists found overweight people who lost a modest amount of weight in their 40s and 50s had similar cardiovascular and metabolic health in later life to adults who had always maintained a healthy weight.
By the age of 62, the two groups had comparable cholesterol levels, blood pressure and markers of inflammation, all key indicators of heart health.
The study, by researchers at University College London, adds to growing evidence that even relatively small changes on the scales can have major health benefits.
Lead author Charis Bridger-Staatz, of UCL’s Centre for Longitudinal Studies, said: "Ageing is often framed in terms of inevitable health decline, but our new research shows that this need not be the case.
"Just a modest reduction in weight in people’s 50s may make a real difference to their health, potentially improving their quality of life and reducing their risk of heart issues."
Researchers analysed data from more than 6,000 people born in Britain in 1958.
They recorded each participant’s highest body mass index by age 42, then examined whether they had lost or gained at least five per cent of their weight by 50 and maintained that difference at 55.
Health measurements were assessed again later in life.
Poor cardiovascular and metabolic health can increase the risk of conditions including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, heart attacks and strokes.
Bridger-Staatz warned that thousands of lives could be lost unnecessarily over the next decade because of poor health linked to overweight and obesity.
She said: "While obesity prevention strategies rightly place strong emphasis on children and young people, these findings indicate that prevention efforts should also extend to people in their 50s.
"Although this is often perceived as a stage of life when meaningful health change is no longer possible, our research shows that it’s never too late to start making changes to improve your health."
Co-author Laura Gimeno said: "These results show that the benefits of weight loss may extend beyond short-term weight reduction.
"Our findings support current interest around expanding access to effective weight-loss support, including weight-loss medications."
The researchers stressed that the study was observational, meaning it cannot prove weight loss directly caused the improvements.
Gimeno added: "They also highlight the importance of reducing further weight gain in midlife, as this was consistently linked to the fastest deterioration in heart and metabolic health."