Did you know that your weight has a direct impact on your health and well-being? Your weight is such an important factor that should not be overlooked as it can affect you in many ways. Obesity comes with many health risks such as increasing the risk of getting Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, heart diseases, stroke, sleep apnea, and many more. About 40 percent of Americans aged 51 and above are overweight. Older men and women also have similar obesity rates of 23 percent and 24 percent respectively. Here are some reasons why maintaining a healthy weight is important as you age.
Limits Your Mobility
Obesity can restrict your mobility which may result in you being more dependent on others. This is because your weight may strain your lower extremity joints. You may think of it this way; your body is like a piece of luggage that you need to carry and your wheels are your joints. The more weight in your luggage, the more it wears down the wheels. This may lead to limited mobility and joint pain. Besides wearing out your joints, there are also other impacts of obesity. If you are severely overweight, you tend to be tired more quickly than normal. This will make it harder for you to exercise which will result in further weight gain.
Health Risks
Being overweight for older adults also increases the risk of respiratory disease, arthritis, and skin diseases. The main cause of restrictive pulmonary damage is obesity as it causes the mechanical compression of the lungs and chest. Obesity also directly causes around 20 percent of all arthritis-diagnosed cases. Statistics show that if you are overweight, you have a 60 percent higher chance of getting arthritis compared to people with healthier weights. Obesity can also cause skin problems due to the change in hormones that causes darkened skin in the areas of the neck and body folds. People that are overweight also tend to have stretch marks on their bodies.
Reduced Sleep
If you’re overweight, you’re more likely to be deprived of a decent night’s sleep. Excess fat, especially belly fat, hinders your lungs from fully expanding, stopping you from breathing deeply, which is necessary for good sleep. Obesity also increases the chance of obstructive sleep apnea which occurs when you stop breathing repeatedly while sleeping.
How to Maintain a Healthy Weight
Older adults can start managing their weight and health by taking simple steps. One can start by maintaining a healthy lifestyle by exercising daily. Exercises can include joining a fitness group, jogging, swimming, or even taking a walk every day. It is important to exercise moderately for at least 30 minutes every day. This is great if you are either overweight or underweight. You can also monitor your diet for meals and snacks. A balanced diet includes vegetables, wholemeal foods, fruits, and a good amount of protein.
Keep Healthy at Morada Broken Arrow
You can keep healthy and active at Morada Broken Arrow. With our exclusive senior living programs, you can enjoy our comprehensive health and wellness programs as well as indulge in healthy, gourmet meals that are tailored to your needs. We also offer Independent Living option where you can live a worry-free lifestyle with our resort-style amenities. Want to learn more? Contact us today!
