Obesity and Long-term Health in Aging Women

The importance of exercise for everyone, especially senior citizens, cannot be overstated. A recent national study has reconfirmed and expanded on the danger that obesity poses to older women.  The study, published in JAMA Internal Medicine, gathered data by tracking over 36,000 women of post-menopausal age at US research centers and universities.

As explained in the New York Times, women enrolled in the Women’s Health Initiative beginning in 1993 and ending in 1998. The women were between 66 and 79, with an average age of 72 years old. In the initial part of the study, researchers recorded the participants’ height, weight, and health information. The researchers then followed up with the participants regularly until the end of the study in 2012.

The study categorized the findings of the study using a sliding scale from women defined as healthy—meaning they “survived to age 85 and had no major chronic diseases and maintained the ability to walk”—to women who died prior to reaching the age of 85.

Falling in between these categorizations were women who:

• had one or more chronic conditions (such as heart disease, cancer, stroke, hip fracture, or diabetes) at the onset of the study but who did not develop additional health problems and who remained mobile
• developed one or more of the chronic diseases during the study but remained mobile
• were no longer mobile by the end of the study and who required crutches, walkers, or wheelchairs

Relationship Between Obesity and Long-Term Survival in Aging Women

Researchers discovered a clear correlation between obesity and being considered “healthy” by the definition of the study—the more overweight a woman was, the greater the likelihood that she would fall on the lower end of the scale or pass away before the end of the study.

These findings have once again highlighted the importance for fitness for older women. As American lifestyles overall become healthier, older women are an overlooked demographic. While reduction of obesity in all age groups is important, by emphasizing the importance of fitness for post-menopausal women a dramatic improvement in longevity and quality of life could occur.

Since post-menopausal women commonly gain weight that is difficult to lose, new strategies to motivate women to focus on their fitness must be implemented. Obesity is a leading factor in other health issues, and since it is linked to overall poor health, without a focus on keeping older women healthy there will be an increased need for caregivers comparatively earlier in life. This is a tremendous financial strain on families, who may not have the resources to either hire caregivers or provide the care themselves.

As Americans grow healthier, we must remain aware of the effects of obesity on people of all ages, and work to create a healthier future for ourselves and our aging loved ones.

We at ComForcare fully support keeping people as healthy and as active as possible for as long as possible. To find out more about healthy aging, visit www.comforcare.com.