Highlights
- Obesity can increase the risk of dementia in the elderly
- In old age, your body needs more nutrients, not more calories
- You cannot stick to rigorous workouts in old age
Obesity is linked to an increased risk of many diseases; it is linked to a higher risk of heart diseases. But obesity can have an impact on mental health as well, especially in the elderly. A recently study revealed that a higher hip to waist ratio is linked to low cognitive function in the elderly. This happens due to higher secretion of inflammatory markers due to belly fat. Recent studies have linked these markers to an increased risk of cognitive decline. They also revealed that overweight people do not perform well in memory tests as compared to the people who had an average BMI.
Experts also revealed that while the negative health effects of obesity are known to all, this study provides evidence to state that obesity and where excess weight is could affect mental health as well. This can affect the public health implications as well.
For this study, the team analyzed data of 5000 individuals. The results suggested that the global prevalence of dementia is expected to increase to 81.1 million by the year 2040. A cost effective public strategy to reduce this risk could be reducing the prevalence of obesity in the elderly.
How to fight obesity in old age?
Fighting obesity may sound like an easy task, but trust us, it is not. Being on a restrictive diet and following a pack workout regime can give you a hard time. And after crossing a certain age, it becomes even more difficult to manage obesity. Beyond a certain age, rigorous workouts are not recommended. Besides this, it is important to ensure that you are not compromising with your nutritional intake either. One simply cannot afford to suffer from calcium, protein, fat or any form of deficiency for that matter in old age. It is important for you to understand the dietary needs of your body in old age.
What kind of diet will help you fight obesity in old age?
As you age, your body's need changes from more calories to more nutrients. Instead of eating high-calorie foods, you need to shift to a nutrient-dense diet. To fight obesity in old age, include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meat, nuts, seeds and beans in your diet. Sugary, fatty and processed foods should be avoided.
What kind of a workout schedule should be followed?
If you are trying to fight obesity in old age, you need to take note of the fact that rigorous workouts are not meant for you. Instead, you can opt for simple aerobic exercises, brisk walking and other outdoor activities like gardening.
With inputs from IANS.