It probably does, it’s just that we don’t listen to our body. We should be eating less as we get older and our metabolism slows down, but food is quite delicious for many (and also out of habit). 
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It looks like we eat less (according the graph below), but maybe food has become calorie dense so that even with the little we eat, we are taking in too much.
with metta
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.Having a lifestyle that is conducive to physical activity is an effective means to reduce weight:
It is estimated that one in six deaths every year are directly due to inactivity. This is about 84,500 in England and Wales. Sedentary lifestyles: are also linked to increased pressure on (and costs of) social care.
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Walking or cycling to work can also cut the chances of developing diabetes by 40-50% as well as reducing the prevalence of dementia.
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In our blog Blue House – at what cost to health? we set out some of the other health risks of pollution including: reduced lung capacity and cognitive delay for children and links to dementia, infertility and sperm damage.
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Walking and cycling also have a proven positive benefit to mental health. A study of 18,000 adults found that “Those who had an active commute were found to have a higher level of well-being than those who went by car or public transport. When researchers analysed the wellbeing of a small group who swapped the car or bus for a bike or going on foot, they found they became happier after the switch.”
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A separate study of 20,000 children found that “Children who walk or cycle to school rather than being driven by their parents have an increased power of concentration, and the effect of this ‘exercise’ lasts all morning.”
with metta
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Can we decude by looking at the last data from @Mat that going to town for alms everyday along with approrpiate food intakes (the “classic” buddhist monk lifestyle?) could be a recipe for good health and longevity?
In addition to the mental health and happiness found in the practice of the buddha dhamma?
If that’s the case, it would appear that we’ve almost gone full circle on this topic!
It would be most appropriate, if not another long walk through the woods later as well (to match the daily commute!)
So just to summarize what I found:
- Low calorie density food (probably smaller portion sizes; fewer number of meals-one or two meals a day? don’t skip breakfast?-not sure) and drink.
- Fit the activities into the lifestyle + exercise?
- You are going to increase in weight with age- this is normal.
- Your activity levels will drop with age- this is normal. Don’t fret it.
- You probably wont look like when you were young- ask the courtesan Ambapali!
- genes probably play a role.
- Better mental health means less junk food, less comfort eating and using food as a means of managing mood -so practicing the N8FP! Samadhi is likely to reduce craving, which is one of the Five hindrances.
with metta
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I don’t know what gets offered these days on pindapat. If it’s just peasant food. Mainly white rice and maybe frog, bony fish etc. then it’s missing fibre, vitamins, amino acids and essential fatty acids. If you look in an alms bowl when our monastics go on alms round then maybe. Last pindapat we had sushi, legumes, salad and fruit and walked about 2.5km. Generally the food we are offered for lunch is much more calorie dense and lacking in veg.
I can’t get the quote to work on @Mat 's question re hunger. However, I asked this question of a few nutrition scientists and they all answered that there are too many variables to go on hunger alone. Tiredness, thirst, fluctuations in hormones, activity level, activity type etc.
Teaming hunger with informed food selection/consumption is the key. In a western monastery this is easier as we generally have a bit more choice and can choose higher fibre foods over lower ones. Thus aiding in satiety. Where I’m visiting now there has been an abundance of vegetables every day! Also an abundance of chocolate and cookies 
A bit of discernment and sense restraint required
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It appears that A stomach or gastric ulcer is common in Tibetan monks.
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H.pilori bacterium is apparently most often cause of acid reflux. This is fairly recent scientific finding. One used to be told acid reflux was due to poor handling of stress, at least here in the US; this i have experienced but also been told by numerious medical professionals. As that baterium also causes stomach cancer and other things if untreated, PLEASE get tested and if detected get treated, and if appropriate, educate laypeople who mention this condition.
May all beings enjoy happiness, health, and peace and ultimately achieve liberation.
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