What can you do?Īlthough many studies focus on the effects of physical activity on weight and BMI, research has found that even if you’re not losing weight, exercise can still help you live longer and better. In another study, researchers found that in adults older than 55, muscle mass was a better predictor of longevity than was weight or body mass index (BMI). In addition to helping older adults live better, maintaining muscle mass can help them live longer. This suggests that exercise may be able to prevent age-related decline in muscle function. In a 2019 investigation of data from NIA’s Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging, researchers found that moderate to vigorous physical activity is strongly associated with muscle function, regardless of age. However, exercise can help older adults maintain muscle mass as they age. Older adults may not have the energy to do everyday activities and can lose their independence. Both obesity and underweight conditions can lead to loss of muscle mass, which may cause a person to feel weak and easily worn out.Īs people age, muscle function often declines. Being or becoming too thin as an older adult can weaken your immune system, increase the risk of bone fracture, and in some cases may be a symptom of disease. However, thinner is not always healthier either. Significant excess weight and obesity increase the risk of death, disability, and many diseases such as type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. You can increase the number of steps you get each day by doing activities that keep your body moving, such as gardening, walking the dog, and taking the stairs instead of the elevator.Īlthough it has many other benefits, exercise is an essential tool for maintaining a healthy weight. Scientific evidence suggests that people who exercise regularly not only live longer, but also may live better - meaning they enjoy more years of life without pain or disability.Ī study of adults 40 and older found that taking 8,000 steps or more per day, compared to only taking 4,000 steps, was associated with a 51% lower risk of death from all causes. Whether you love it or hate it, physical activity is a cornerstone of healthy aging. Get moving: Exercise and physical activity Small changes in each of these areas can go a long way to support healthy aging.
Taking care of your physical health involves staying active, making healthy food choices, getting enough sleep, limiting your alcohol intake, and proactively managing your health care.
Just the two of us we can make it if we try how to#
While scientists continue to actively research how to slow or prevent age-related declines in physical health, they’ve already discovered multiple ways to improve the chances of maintaining optimal health later in life.
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