- Height loss. After age 40, the average person loses 1 cm (about 0.4 inches) every 10 years.
This height loss speeds up after age 70; in total, the aging process may cause a loss of 1 to 3 inches in height.
- Bigger in the middle. Aging increases fat deposits to the body’s center, which increases hip width.
- Narrower shoulders. As muscles lose mass, shoulder width decreases.
- Less muscle overall. The aging process reduces the total amount of muscle in the body.
If this sounds bleak, it may help to know that preventative care and a healthy lifestyle can affect how much the aging process will affect your body.
For more information, including a list of common problems and preventions, see Aging Changes in Body Shape.
Page 3: How Aging Changes Your Hair and Nails
