To Win, We Have to Lose

A new campaign on television brought the issue of obesity to my attention. Obesity has become an epidemic in the United States. Around 15 million adults over the age of 52 suffer from this condition, representing nearly one in four older adults. While obesity itself is not a chronic condition, it leads to other trivial risk factors including coronary heart disease, type II diabetes, stroke and several forms of cancer. Obesity not only affects the health of older adults, it also affects their daily lives. Older people who are obese report more feelings of sadness and hopelessness than those who are not obese.

Another shocking statistic is the fact that obesity is on the rise with the increase in accessible technology and lack of exercise. Since 1991, rates of obesity have increased dramatically. Substantial increases among adults of all ages suggest that obesity among older Americans is likely to become a greater problem in the future. Among the obese population age 51 and older, a disproportionate percentage is aged between 51 to 69.

While obesity rates have increased for everyone, some groups have much higher rates, Rates are also higher for older adults with lower incomes and those with less education. Non-Hispanic whites age 51 and older have the lowest rates of obesity compared to adults of the same age of other racial and ethnic backgrounds. Older men and women have similar rates of obesity.

References:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2002335131_obesity14.html

http://hpi.georgetown.edu/agingsociety/pubhtml/obesity2/obesity2.html

http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn7514-obesity-may-accelerate-the-ageing-process.html

http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/mar/23/urban-studies-students-tackle-obesity-aging-milita/