grow older better

Tag: obesity

  • Obesity And Your Lifespan

    figure_on_bathroom_scale_400_clr_3535

    More of we older people, more than previously thought, may be shortening our lifespans due to obesity issues.

     

    The death toll of the nation’s obesity epidemic may be close to four times higher than has been widely believed, and all that excess weight could reverse the steady trend of lengthening life spans for a generation of younger Americans, new research warns.

     

    There are some studies that showed that having extra weight as we age might be a sort of protection – but in recent years all the research I have read shows that obesity shortens lives – of adults, of teens and of children.

    Me? I’d rather err on the side of not carrying around extra weight.

    Comments? Thoughts?

    Thank you…

     

     

     

     

     

  • Boomers: No Longer The Healthiest Generation

    boomer couch potato

    Baby boomer?

    Better watch that lifestyle!

     

    Wow – for years the thinking was that the exercise-conscious generation, who ate organic food and who tended to not smoke, were healthier than past generations.

     

    But no – boomers are unhealthier!!

    Never mind the fact that Baby boomers have been dubbed the Healthiest Generation, since they have the longest life expectancy of any previous generation, and that  they were able to exploit advances in medical care and reap the benefits of public health campaigns highlighting the dangers of smoking and unhealthy diets. That moniker may simply no longer apply, since it turns out that they have higher rates of hypertension, diabetes, obesity and high cholesterol than members of the previous generation

     

    This is a far different version of where we are going as a culture then we previously thought.  Will we, the older-than-boomers stay healthy enough to help take care of the generation after us? 

    Will their kids also be unhealthy?

    Our national obesity levels indicate that today’s children may not live as long as did their parents.  We are in fact shortening their lifespans!  

    And now we see it is creating potential disabilities in the boomer generation.

    Where does this all lead in terms of aging?  public policy?  health guidelines?

    I don’t know – but it shows boomers and the rest of us all need to make BIG changes to get and keep being as healthy as we can….

    I am a believer in the idea that anyone can make changes at any time in their  lives.  

    BUT – the time to start is

    RIGHT NOW

    obesity and belly fat

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Comments? Thank you!

  • Obesity Is Linked To Changes In The Brain

    human_brain

    What are we doing to our brains?

    Our bodies?

     

    The hypothalamus is a small almond sized structure situated just above the brain stem and controls body temperature, hunger, thirst, fatigue, sleep, and circadian cycles. These are functions in the category of homeostasis – or balance.  Look what we are doing!

    Obesity appears to be strongly linked to structural changes in the brains of rats and humans, according to new research.
     
    During a study of high-fat diets in the brains of mice and rats bred to become obese, researchers found evidence of early and lasting injury to a specific part of the hypothalamus.

    Then using brain imaging, the researchers also found signs of similar damage in the same area of the brain in obese humans.
    No one has found a cause and effect – but interesting questions are being asked and further studies will be designed.

    If obesity changes what is basically the hunger thermostat – it might explain a lot about why people keep eating even when they know it may not be good for their health.

    And this study was done on rats and adults so another question would be what happens to young children who are gaining so much weight? If their brains are also changed in not-so-good-ways by the weight, what else might that affect developmentally?

    More questions that need answers!  But while we wait for more answers, please eat healthier foods and grow older better!!

     

    Thoughts? Comments?

  • 65 Million MORE Obese People?

    It's Not Always Baby Fat!

     

    According to some recent surveys, there will be 65 million more obese U.S. citizens by 2030 and 11 million more in the U.K.

    I've written books, articles, and blog posts on the obesity epidemic and this is scary! The epidemic is not slowing down!

    It means more obesity-related illnesses, more obese children, and more [and more costly] health care – which we all pay for!

    And as a Developmental Psychologist, to me it means future generations of children who will not have the best start on development that they can.

    It's called an epidemic for good reason. Obesity is apparently "contagious."

    • If you are obese, your family is more likely to be obese; especially your children
    • If you hang out with obese people, you are morel likely to become obese
    • If your non-obese friends hang out with you; they are more likely to become obese

    Please – think not only about yourself and your own health but

    • think of your family
    • think of your friends
    • think of the future

    Don't be in this statistic – grow older better – be healthy!

    Thoughts? Comments? Thank you.

  • Watch TV; Shorten Your Life?

     I write about the benefits of exercise and have a blog about being healthy – and here is a study that may just be part of the formula as to why we have an obesity epidemic and don't get enough exercise.

    The amount of TV viewed in Australia in 2008 was associated with reduced life expectancy by 1.8 years for men and 1.5 years for women. The authors suggest that every hour of TV viewed after the age of 25 reduces the viewer's life expectancy.

    The following study concluded that:

    Viewing time may be associated with a loss of life that is comparable to other major chronic disease risk factors such as physical inactivity and obesity.

    Read more about TV and life expectancy.

     

    Comments? Thoughts? Thank you.