Working to lose weight in your 40s and 50s may help reduce your risk of developing chronic diseases, according to a recent study conducted by researchers in the U.K. and Finland.

The study found that individuals who lost an average of 6.5 percent of their body weight in early middle age and maintained that weight loss over a period of 12 to 35 years experienced significant health benefits.

These benefits included a reduced risk for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and overall lower risk of death from chronic diseases.

University of Helsinki professor Dr. Timo Strandberg, the lead author of the study published in the journal JAMA Network Open, emphasized the importance of lifestyle-based weight management in improving long-term health outcomes.

The study tracked and analyzed the health of 23,000 white Europeans aged 30 to 50 over several decades, categorizing them into groups based on their weight changes over time.

Results showed that individuals who transitioned from overweight to a healthy weight in mid-life had a lower risk of developing chronic diseases compared to those who remained overweight.

Furthermore, weight loss in mid-life was associated with a significant reduction in overall mortality rates, highlighting the importance of maintaining a healthy weight throughout life.

Dr. Strandberg emphasized the importance of preventing overweight and obesity from an early age to promote better long-term health outcomes.

He hopes that these findings will encourage individuals to make lifestyle changes that can lead to a longer and healthier life, especially in a time when obesity rates are on the rise.