Myth or truth: Do people shrink as they get older?

Surely you must have heard this at some point... Is it true that we decrease in size as time goes by? A comprehensive study explains it to us. Find out here.

Height, age
Do we lose stature as we get older? Credit: Disclosure.

An article by the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLAS) study group, led by the National Institute of Aging (NIA) of the United States, brings us in a scientific way the answer to this question: it's true!

In fact, some people can start to bend over and even get a few centimeters lower. But this is a natural process of human aging. So, what makes us shrink as time goes by? Find out more information here with us.

Why do people decrease in size with age?

The study by the NIA followed 2,084 people (from 17 to 94 years old) for 35 years, and identified that they began to lose height around 30 years of age and that the shrinkage accelerated over time.

On average, between 30 and 70 years of age, men lost 3 centimeters, while women lost 5 cm. Already at the age of 80, men lost 5 centimeters and women 8 centimeters.

The loss of bone mass - osteopenia or osteoporosis - causes the bones of some regions of the body to decrease their thickness. We also lose muscle mass with advancing age, which makes it difficult to have a correct posture and makes us curled.

And why does this happen? This is due to a combination of three factors: our bones begin to break, our cartilage thinning and our muscles being thinned. But it is worth noting here that the rates at which these processes occur vary depending on the genes, physical nutrition and levels of activity throughout the person's life.

Around the age of 40 to 50, we begin to lose bone mass gradually, because our bones begin to break the old bone faster than the body can generate new bone.

sarcopenia
Sarcopenia is a syndrome characterized by progressive loss of muscle mass associated with loss of muscle strength and reduced physical performance. It occurs more frequently in the elderly. Credit: Disclosure.

When people lose bone mass, any damage to the bones will make them weaker, thinner and brittle, causing the so-called osteoporosis. And this can lead to a decrease in height.

Loss of height can also be caused by poor posture. The sharp curvature of the spine forward, also known as hyperkyphosis, can lead to permanent rounding of the upper back, which reduces a few centimeters in height.

It also happens that, in older people, the muscles can atrophy, a condition known as sarcopenia. And the lack of muscle support around the trunk will harm your ability to stand up. This causes the person to walk bent.

And the other reason that explains the shrinkage is due to the degeneration and dehydration of the intervertebral discs. The cartilage discs between the vertebrae are damaged or become thin due to injuries or dryness over time.

The consequences and what to do to improve the condition

Loss of height can have serious health consequences. Even if the reason is not yet clear, some studies have shown relationships between loss of height and serious health conditions, such as respiratory problems and cardiovascular diseases.

Physical activity
Physical activity is essential to slow down the loss of muscle mass. Credit: Robert Kneschke/Shutterstock.

To improve this condition, physical activities and a healthy diet are essential. And even older people can exercise and improve their strength. Physical exercise will slow down the shrinkage process, as long as it is practiced regularly.

Sport stops the degeneration and loss of bone density, including those involved in the upright position. And it also helps to develop the neuromuscular system, favoring the muscular actions of lifting, control and balance of the body.

News reference:

J. Sorkin D. ; Muller, D. C. ; Andres, R. Longitudinal Change in Height of Men and Women: Implications for Interpretation of the Body Mass Index: The Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging. American Journal of Epidemiology, v. 150, n. 9, 1999.