Health Risks Seniors Should Be Aware Of
Aging is often accompanied by wear and tear on muscles and joints, making it harder to stay as active as one was earlier in their life. Over a third of Americans are obese, and being overweight is an especially serious issue for seniors, who often become overweight due to reduced mobility. Obesity increases the risk of dying from heart disease and cancer. Obesity also increases the risk of developing both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. CDC research has estimated the medical costs for obese individuals to be $1,429 higher on average per visit than for individuals of a healthy weight. Thankfully, research has shown that even modest weight loss (around 5 percent of body weight) can improve and prevent the health problems associated with obesity. Take steps to remain physically active and eat a healthy diet to reduce your risk of gaining too much weight.
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