Even though older people tend to lose weight as they age, those who eat fewer meals or skip snacks still gain less weight than others their age — meaning meal habits matter no matter how old you are.

Scientific Claim

In a cohort of 50,660 North American adults aged 30 and older, the relationship between meal frequency and BMI change remains consistent across age groups, even though BMI naturally declines in older adults (>60 years), suggesting that meal patterns may influence weight trajectories independently of age-related metabolic changes.

Original Statement

“BMI increased in subjects aged <60 y and decreased on average thereafter. Thus, meal patterns that favor relative decreases in BMI may not always be healthful in subjects already experiencing substantial decreases for other reasons such as chronic disease. ... the effects of meal frequency and timing on changes in BMI seemed very similar in magnitude and direction.”

From study:Meal Frequency and Timing Are Associated with Changes in Body Mass Index in Adventist Health Study 2.

Evidence Quality Assessment

Claim Status

appropriately stated

Study Design Support

Design supports claim

Appropriate Language Strength

association

Can only show association/correlation

Assessment Explanation

The authors correctly describe the interaction between age and BMI trends and note that meal patterns modify these trends without implying causation. Language is appropriately cautious and aligned with observational design.

Evidence from Studies

Supporting (1)

Meal Frequency and Timing Are Associated with Changes in Body Mass Index in Adventist Health Study 2.

Cohort Study

Human

2017 Sep

People who ate fewer meals and skipped snacks lost weight over time, even older adults — meaning how often you eat matters for weight, not just how old you are.

Contradicting (0)

No contradicting evidence found

Source Study

Meal Frequency and Timing Are Associated with Changes in Body Mass Index in Adventist Health Study 2.

Score: 67

DOI: 10.3945/jn.116.244749

Similar Assertions

Whether you’re male or female, young or old, or active or not, eating meals at certain times still seems to affect your weight the same way — the pattern holds up for most people.

88%

Each year, these eating habits only change your weight by a tiny bit — but over 20 or 30 years, that adds up to a big difference in whether you stay lean or gain a lot of weight.

85%

Even though people might not remember exactly when they ate, the general patterns of when and how often they eat still line up with whether they gain or lose weight over time.

82%

People who eat just one or two meals a day tend to gain less weight each year than those who eat three meals a day, even if they’re eating the same amount of food.

81%

The more snacks or meals people eat in a day beyond three, the more weight they tend to gain each year — even if it’s just a little bit each year.

78%