Seniors and Weight

As a person ages, their metabolism changes. Sometimes they are not as active as they once were, so weight problems develop. This doesn't have to be the case, and there are things a senior can do to help maintain a healthy body weight.

It's important for seniors to stay active. This will certainly help in reaching their goal of a good weight. Activities like aerobics, walking, and dancing are all ways to keep their bodies and minds active. One way to maintain a healthy weight during the senior years is to eat nutritional meals. Eating healthy also is a key to resisting certain illnesses. Ones energy level, and mental acuteness is also effected by ones diet. The digestive system also changes when a person gets older. The body doesn't absorb some key vitamins and minerals as easy as a younger person's does. Vitamins and mineral like B-12 and folic acid. Some medications affect the appetite and weight, so talking with your doctor about side effects is important. Some seniors suffer with depression, which sometimes causes them to eat too much or not at all. This is also something to discuss with their physician or therapist.

In most cases, the weight gain was slow and happened over a period of years. This is also the best way to lose weight, very gradual. Certain diseases like arthritis, and osteoporosis are made worse by excessive weight. It's so important for a senior to maintain a weight that is suited to them. It will greatly improve their quality of life.