The Claim
Overweight and obese older adults (BMI ≥25.0 kg/m²) expend 20% more energy per kilogram of body mass per meter walked than normal-weight older adults (BMI ≤24.9 kg/m²) at a fixed walking speed of 0.83 m/s.
What the research says
Supports is higher
Support is ahead, but a single strong opposing study can change this.
These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.
Older adults with higher body weight use 20% more energy to walk one meter than older adults with normal weight, when both walk at the same speed.
See the scientific wording
Overweight and obese older adults (BMI ≥25.0 kg/m², n=13) expend 20% more energy per kilogram of body mass per meter walked than normal-weight older adults (BMI ≤24.9 kg/m², n=13) at a fixed walking speed of 0.83 m/s, suggesting that excess body weight increases the metabolic demand of walking even in individuals with preserved functional mobility.
Carrying extra weight forces the body to use more energy to move each step because the muscles must work harder to support the heavier body, the breathing muscles must work harder to move air through a heavier chest, and the walking pattern becomes less efficient with more time spent with both feet on the ground, which reduces the natural bounce of walking.
What the research says
1 studyStudy: Excess Body Weight and Gait Influence Energy Cost of Walking in Older Adults
The study found that older adults who carry extra weight use 20% more energy to walk the same distance at the same speed as lighter older adults, making walking feel harder — even if they’re still able to walk well.
Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.