What's a Healthy Weight for Older Adults?

It depends on your activity level and diet

Whether you’re 70-, 80- or 90-something, you may be wondering if you have to be as vigilant about your weight as you did in your younger years. The answer: it depends.

Healthy older adults should try to keep their weight in the “normal” range, but there is a little wiggle room now. “As long as you’re active, eating healthy foods and in control of any health issues like diabetes, it’s generally OK to carry a few extra pounds,” says geriatrician Anne Yawman, M.D., of Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network.

However, if your blood pressure or diabetes isn’t properly managed, it’s wise to lose that excess. “Dropping just 5-10 percent of your body weight can make a big difference in controlling a health condition and avoiding complications,” Yawman says.

The ideal way to lose weight is by increasing your activity level. Get started by walking three to four times a week, and work up to 30 minutes a walk. A healthier diet—smaller portions, less fat and sugar, lots of fruits and vegetables—also will help you trim down, says Yawman’s colleague, registered dietitian Laurie Baker. “Make a meal like soup and freeze individual portions for future use,” she says.

Weight loss in and of itself isn’t always a good thing in elderly people. “We tend to lose lean muscle mass as a normal part of aging,” Yawman says. A loss of too much muscle mass due to illness, inactivity or poor protein intake is linked to increased falls, brittle bones, fatigue and susceptibility to infections (like colds and flu). Unexplained weight loss also can be a warning sign of depression or an underlying medical condition.

The bottom line: Healthy eating and regular exercise will help you not only control your weight, but protect your overall health and well-being!

Want to Know More about increasing your activity level or eating the right portions? Call 610-402-CARE.

Published from Healthy You Magazine, May-June 2008

ARTICLE TOOLS: