Body size—specifically height and weight—appears to impact women's longevity far more than men's, according to new research from the Dutch Cohort Study. Physical activity benefits both sexes, but patterns differ: more daily exercise correlates with greater longevity in men, while 60 minutes per day offers women the optimal boost, the findings indicate.
Prior studies have examined links between BMI, physical activity, and reaching old age, often combining sexes or focusing on men alone.
With women and men exhibiting different lifespans—potentially due to hormones, genetics, or lifestyle—researchers analyzed data from the Netherlands Cohort Study on Diet and Cancer (NLCS), involving over 120,000 participants aged 55-69 at baseline in 1986. The goal: assess ties between height, weight, leisure-time physical activity, and reaching age 90, including sex differences.
About 7,807 participants (3,646 men and 4,161 women, aged 68-70) reported 1986 details on current weight, height, weight at age 20, and leisure activities like gardening, dog walking, DIY, commuting by foot or bike, and sports. Activities were categorized as <30 minutes, 30-60 minutes, or ≥90 minutes daily. Follow-up continued until death or age 90.
Analyses adjusted for smoking status, alcohol intake, education, and energy consumption. Ultimately, 433 men (16.7%) and 944 women (34.4%) reached 90.
Women surviving to 90 were lighter at baseline, gained less weight since age 20, and were taller on average. Those over 175 cm were 31% more likely to reach 90 than those under 160 cm—a pattern absent in men.
For physical activity, men exceeding 90 minutes daily were 39% more likely to hit 90 than those under 30 minutes, with each additional 30 minutes boosting odds by 5%.
Women active 30-60 minutes daily were 21% more likely to reach 90 than those under 30 minutes. However, 60 minutes emerged as the sweet spot for optimal longevity in women.
No clear body size-longevity link appeared in men, researchers note. Behavioral factors and smoking history influenced results, varying between smokers and non-smokers.
