Healthy Aging II

From the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging:

Healthy Aging involves:

• Exercise and physical activities
  • Balance exercises will help prevent falls
  • Strength training will help prevent osteoporosis
  • Stretching keeps the body limber to give more movement
  • Heart diseases is alleviated with exercise
  • Endurance exercises increase stamina and improve lung and heart health
• Pay attention to weight and your shape
  • Many health problems come from being overweight or obese, including:
    • Greater risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, cancer, and arthritis
  • Being too thin isn’t healthy either:
    • Indication of frailty or symptom of disease
  • Body fat distribution (I.e. pear shaped or apple shaped) can be a problem for older adults:
    • Apple shapes (fat around the waist) can increase risk of heart disease and breast cancer
• Be aware of what you eat
  • Individuals who consume healthy foods (high fiber cereal, fruit, nonwhite bread, whole grains, beans and legumes, vegetables, reduced-fat dairy) have been shown to have smaller BMI (Body Mass Index) gains and a smaller waist.
  • Eating well helps keep your muscles, bones, organs and other body parts functioning properly throughout life.
  • Conversely, eating poorly increases your risk for some diseases
• Participate in things you like
  • People who are social, generous and goal-oriented tend to be happier with lower levels of depression
    • Develop hobbies
    • Be social, whether through family or social groups
    • Make goals and work towards them
• BASIC GUIDELINES
  • Don’t smoke
  • Exercise/be active
  • Eat healthfully
  • If you drink alcohol, drink in moderation

http://www.nia.nih.gov/HealthInformation/Publications/healthyeating.htm