Fitness versus Fatness

ere is some surprising and encouraging news for older adults who struggle with their weight: being fit can reduce your risk of death even if you are overweight.

Researchers from the University of South Carolina studied adults over the age of 60 for 12 years. They found that those who were physically active had half the risk of dying compared to those who were inactive, regardless of how much body fat they had. Even obese individuals who were fit had less chance of dying than adults who were thin and inactive. Although being overweight and having a large waist circumference were associated with higher risks of dying, being unfit was the largest predictor of mortality for this age group.

This study is a good reminder of just how important exercise can be in healthy aging and longevity. Being physically fit can not only extend your life; it can also improve the quality of your life since it promotes mobility, balance and independence-factors that often decline with advanced age. If you are over 60 and mostly sedentary, I suggest that you add more activity to your daily routine. Get your doctor's permission first and then find an activity you enjoy. Good things to try are walking, dancing, swimming, gardening, yoga and tai chi. If you are currently active, see if you can improve your fitness by increasing the time, frequency of difficulty of your exercise.