Which factor is a known contributor to increased fat deposition with age?

The decrease in metabolic rate contributes significantly to increased fat deposition with age. As individuals age, their basal metabolic rate— the rate at which the body expends energy at rest—tends to decline. This reduction in metabolic rate is often due to a loss of lean body mass, changes in hormonal profiles, and a decrease in physical activity, which can lead to a lower overall energy expenditure.

When the metabolic rate decreases, the body burns fewer calories compared to when it was younger. If caloric intake remains constant without compensating for this lower energy expenditure, excess calories are more likely to be stored as fat, leading to an increase in fat deposition.

Furthermore, aging can influence factors such as insulin sensitivity and the body's ability to metabolize fat, exacerbating the storage of fat. Understanding these physiological changes can help in developing strategies to mitigate fat gain with age, such as increasing physical activity and improving dietary habits.