Surprising evidence of pelvic growth (widening) after skeletal maturity

Your increased waist size and weight may not be all fat

Research shows that after we quit growing taller (about age 20) we continue to grow wider well into our 70s. That increase in waist size and weight you may be experiencing isn't all fat, it's the widening of your pelvis.

The Journal of Orthopaedic Research reported the findings of a study performed at the University of North Carolina. The study found that people's pelvic bones (hip bones) continue to grow long after they reach skeletal maturity resulting in bigger waistlines and even extra pounds.
Dr. Laurence E Dahners, one of the senior study authors said "whether or not they also have an increase in body fat, our findings suggest that pelvic growth may contribute to people becoming wider and having a larger waist size as they get older. If the rest of the body is widening, this might account for a significant portion of an increase in body weight of about one pound a year."

Berger, A. A., May, R., Renner, J. B., Viradia, N. and Dahners, L. E. (2011), Surprising evidence of pelvic growth (widening) after skeletal maturity. Journal of Orthopaedic Research, 29: n/a. doi: 10.1002/jor.21469