Keeping fit at a young age may be one of the secrets to living a long and healthy life, according to new research co-authored by researcher Oscar Franco, MD, PhD, Assistant Clinical Professor in Public Health at the University of Warwick in the United Kingdom.
The article was published in the British Medical Journal on September 30 and was based on data gathered since 1976 from more than 17,000 female nurses living in the United States.
The new research shows that obesity is a "significant factor" in predicting how long a person will live. The study found that women who were obese in middle age had 79% lower odds of healthy survival compared with women who kept their weight at a healthy level. Additionally, it linked weight gain between the age of 18 and middle age to lower odds of healthy survival; specifically, for every 1kg increase in weight gain since age 18, the odds of healthy survival decreased by 5%, the research concluded.
The study is available online at http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/abstract/339/sep29_1/b3796 .
"This new research confirms that good nutrition and exercise are a vital part of staying healthy and feeling young - especially for older adults," said Dr. Franco, whose previous research in nutrition and aging supports BeneVia's unique nutritional value. "Staying healthy is a lifelong process that includes optimal nutrition and exercise, which can help maintain a healthy weight profile and prolong life expectancy."
For more nutrition information from Dr. Franco, visit the HealthSpan Institute resources at www.gobenevia.com.
Exercise doesn't just mean going for a walk or riding a treadmill, Dr. Franco advises. The Centers for Disease Control recommend that adults over the age of 65 do muscle-strengthening activities on two or more days a week that work all of the major muscle groups. Building muscle mass increases coordination, balance and even reduce the risk of falls, according to the CDC. Increased muscle also helps to burn more calories so it also contributes to maintaining healthy weight, said Dr. Franco.
The other part of the muscle-building equation is nutrition, which can be a major hurdle for older adults who often don't have the appetite for protein-rich foods or creamy shake-based nutrition supplements.