Losing weight at any age, even if you don't keep it off, can improve cardiovascular health, a new U.K. study has found.
The researchers from University College London looked at the data from the U.K. Medical Research Council National Survey of Health and Development, which followed 1,273 men and women since birth in March 1946. The people were classified during childhood as normal weight, overweight, or obese and again at 26, 43, 53 and 60-64 years of age.
Those who were overweight or obese and had lost weight saw an improvement in their cardiovascular health, even if they returned to being overweight or obese.
"Losing weight at any age can result in long-term cardiovascular health benefits, and support public health strategies and lifestyle modifications that help individuals who are overweight or obese to lose weight," lead author John Deanfield said in a press release.
The study was published in The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology.