Search

Healthy older individuals can take several measures to preserve and improve their health. Even if past nutritional and lifestyle practices were not optimal, much can be done to reduce the risk of chronic disease and disability in future years. The first challenge is to recognize and address the profound changes in body composition that occur with aging. Older persons tend to accumulate relatively more body fat and less lean body mass, ie, muscle and bone. With a gain in body weight, which usually occurs, these changes are exaggerated. Because muscle tissue has a much higher metabolic rate than does fat tissue, older individuals generally develop lower metabolic rates. To avoid excess weight gain, older individuals must make major restrictions in caloric intake and increases in energy expenditure. Women experience changes in body composition similar to those in men, with changes becoming more prominent at menopause. Exercise improves body composition among healthy elderly, both by reducing fat mass and by increasing bone and muscle mass, thereby helping to restore higher metabolic rates. In men and women aged [greater than or equal to] 65 y and taking calcium and vitamin D supplements for 3 y, the rate of bone loss slowed and the incidence of nonvertebral fractures was reduced. Several population studies of older persons show that following nutritional and lifestyle guidelines for cancer prevention reduces risk by one-third. Improving serum lipid concentrations in adults over 65 y of age with coronary artery disease decreases the risk of future cardiac events by as much as 45%. Furthermore, the greatest benefit from control of hypertension is in older individuals. KEY WORDS Elderly, cancer prevention, osteoporosis, diet, nutrition, cardiovascular disease, body composition, BMI

Background: Estimates of body-composition change in older adults are mostly derived from cross-sectional data. Objective: We examined the natural longitudinal patterns of change in fat-free mass (FFM) and fat mass (FM) in older adults and explored the effect of physical activity, weight change, and age on these changes. Design: The body composition measured by hydrodensitometry and the level of sports and recreational activity (SRA) of 53 men and 78 women with a mean ([+ or -] SD) initial age of 60.7 [+ or -] 7.8 y were examined on 2 occasions separated by a mean ([+ or -] SD) time of 9.4 [+ or -] 1.4 y. Results: FFM decreased in men (2.0% per decade) but not in women, whereas FM increased similarly in both sexes (7.5% per decade). Levels of SRA decreased more in men than in women over the follow-up period. Baseline age and level of SRA were inversely and independently associated with changes in FM in women only. Neither age nor level of SRA was associated with changes in FFM in men or women. Weight-stable subjects lost FFM. FFM accounted for 19% of body weight in those who gained weight, even in the presence of decreased levels of SRA. Loss of FFM (33% of body weight) was pronounced in those who lost weight, despite median SRA levels > 4184 kJ/wk. Conclusions: On average, FM increased; however, the increase in women was attenuated with advancing age. The decrease in FFM over the follow-up period was small and masked the wide interindividual variation that was dependent on the magnitude of weight change. The contribution of weight stability, modest weight gains, or lifestyle changes that include regular resistance exercise in attenuating lean-tissue loss with age should be explored. KEY WORDS Aging, weight change, sarcopenia, fat mass, fat-free mass, sports, recreational activity

Objectives: To compare the physiological responses and ratings of perceived exertion to aerobic dance and walking sessions completed at a self selected pace. Methods: Six women and six men with [...]

This article discusses the physiological effects of aerobic exercise in older persons. An analysis of heart rate variability, oxygen consumption, gas exchange, and blood pressure is presented.

A study shows that elderly men who undergo endurance training have less of a hypotensive reaction to standing up that do sedentary elderly men. This is also the opposite of the reaction found in younger highly active men. This study shows that elderly men can increase oxygen intake with endurance training without increasing cardiovascular distress.

Background and Purpose. Loss of lower-extremity strength increases the risk of falls in older persons. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that a vigorous program of lower-extremity strengthening, walking, and postural control exercises would improve the single-stance balance of healtby older women and lower their risk of falls and fall-associated injuries Subjects. From a total of 38 respondents, 21 women were randomly assigned to either a treatment group combined training, n = 12) or a control group flexibility training, n =9). The subjects ranged in age from 62 to 75 years (X=68, SD=3.5). Methods. A randomized control trial compared the effects of two exercise programs on static balance. The combined training group exercised three times per week on knee extension and sitting leg press machines, walked briskly for 20 minutes, and performed postural control exercises, which included simple tai chi movements. The flexibility training group performed postural control exercises weekly Measurements of balance were obtained on a force platform in double and single stance, at baseline and following 6 months of exercise training. Results. Double-stance measurements were unchanged after training The mean displacement of the center of pressure in single stance improved 17%, in the combined training group and did not change in the flexibility training group A repeated-measures analysis of variance revealed that the difference in improvement between the combined training and flexibility training groups was not significant Discussion and Conclusion. This is the first intervention trial to demonstrate improvements in single-stance postural sway in older women with exercise training Additional studies with more subjects will be needed to determine whether a combined training program of resistance training, walking, and postural exercises can improve balance more than a program of postural control exercises alone [Judge Jo, Lindsey C, Underwood) M, Winsemius D. Balance improvements in older women: effects of exercise training Phys Ther 1993,73 254-265], The prevention of falls and the substantial morbidity associated with fall-related injuries will become increasingly important for preserving the health and independence of older women. Fall risk has been shown [...]

The article describes the importance of exercise and physical activity in elderly.

Several studies are conducted to explain the accuracy of different activity monitors that are used to assess the community-dwelling older adults. All the three discussed monitors are shown to exhibit high performance at moderate and higher walking speeds.

A study was carried out to describe the age-related change in physical activity in 903 rural Hispanic and non-Hispanic white adults age 55-80. Conclusions reveal that the most common activities are similar to other adults, both recreational and productive activities contributed to total activity and physical activity decreased in all gender-ethnic subgroups with age.

A study is conducted which compares the voluntary fluid intake behavior of older men and women when provided cold, palatable beverages and ample opportunity to drink between repeated bouts of exercise in the heat. The result shows that older women drank more water than men during interval exercise in the heat, which may put smaller women at an increased risk for developing hyponatremia.

A cross-sectional study is conducted using Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) that describes the prevalence of inactivity and insufficient and recommended physical activity for older adults. Findings indicate that not all persons with disabilities can be active at recommended levels, but it is possible for the vast majority to do some types of physical activity, even if at insufficient levels.

Here's some great news for older clients who have metabolic syndrome. According to a study in the January issue of American Journal of Preventive Medicine (2005; 28 [1], 9-18), people [...]

This article summarizes presentations from a satellite symposium, 'Clinical Nutrition: Opportunity in a Changing Health Care Environment,' held July 26, 1997, at the 37th annual meeting of the American Society for Clinical Nutrition in Montreal. The symposium was cosponsored by the American Society for Clinical Nutrition and the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition. The diverse topics served as a practical forum for sharing information on innovative responses, concerns, and impediments in the rapidly evolving practice environment. Am J Clin Nutr 1998;68:983-90. KEY WORDS Managed health care, nutrition support, nutrition education, physician nutrition specialist, nutrition research