In memory of Mother: older adults and nutritional health

July 4, 8:27 AMNorfolk Nutrition ExaminerSharon Oberne

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In memory of my mother who passed away last summer, I will be doing a number of articles about staying healthy for the older adult.

Nearly 40 percent of deaths in American are attributed to smoking, physical inactivity and poor diet. Acquiring healthy behaviors such as eating nutritious foods, staying physically active and avoiding tobacco use can perhaps control the overwhelming effects of the leading causes of death regardless of one’s age.

Regular physical activity is known for reducing a person’s risk from dying of heart disease, decreases the risk for colon cancer, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Physical activity helps to control weight; contributes to healthy bones, muscles, and joints; helps to relieve the pain of arthritis; reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression; and can decrease the need for hospitalizations, physician visits, and medications.

Now, physical activity does not need to be strenuous to be beneficial. People of all ages can benefit from moderate physical activity. Unfortunately, the older the person the less active they are. By the age of 75, about one in three men and one in two women do not engage in any physical activity.1

One example of not engaging in physical activity, after the age of 75, was my mother. She wanted to but could not. She suffered from advanced osteoporosis. Now, Mother did take prescribed medication for years. She was concerned about her dietary needs and ate what she was told, but she refused to take any supplements.  Her medical doctor never recommended any supplements. I did! But, I was not her medical doctor.  So, my advice went in one ear and out the other.  Unfortunately, her condition only worsened.

1. Department of Health and Human Services. Physical Activity and Health: A Report of the Surgeon General. Atlanta, GA: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1996.

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