Body type

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I used to be an hourglass type with a small waist and larger hips and thighs. Now, I’m older (72) and my abdominal area is the biggest. When choosing a plan to eat for my body type, which body type should I choose? I know most people expand at the waist as they age.

AnnPT77

Body types for weight loss are mostly mythology. Most of us would be well-served by finding a way of eating that is calorie-appropriate, provides generally good nutrition, both of those things overall on average over a day or few. On top of that, add exercise appropriate to current fitness status, just a manageable challenge, aimed at individual health or appearance goals. As fitness improves, adjust duration, frequency, intensity or exercise type to keep a bit of challenge going.

Other than possibly some pelvic widening, I don't know that we do expand at the waist as we age, other than from decreased muscle mass and increased body fat, both of which can happen at constant body weight, not just increased body weight.

I'm female, 66, formerly obese. I'm not lots differently shaped than I was at 22 at similar body weight, based on how my wedding outfit fit me a few weeks ago - maybe a little wilder, but certainly not lots. I doubt I'm unique.

The one thing I'd say as special advice for folks our age, is that there's evidence that we metabolize protein less efficiently than younger folks, so current expert advice is to get enough (true for everyone) and to spread it through the day including around exercise (for us senior type folks).

There's some very limited evidence that strength training is beneficial for post-menopausal women, when it comes to reducing central body fat . . . and ample evidence that both strength training and cardio are beneficial to best health and appearance for pretty much everyone. The big issue, though, is body fat levels.

Posture is another issue that can emphasize the prominence of any remaining central fat that a person may have, at any age. Some relevant posture issues to consider are anterior pelvic tilt, and the chin-forward, rounded-shoulders, rounded upper back posture that's sometimes unflatteringly called "nerd neck" because computer/phone use is a common trigger. The physical therapists Bob & Brad on YouTube have multiple exercise videos for those things, if self assessment suggests they may be issues for you.

Best wishes!