Maintaining a Healthy Weight for Senior Citizens

Healthy Weight Week is upon us and MediNurse, the premiere provider of private duty nursing care, reminds the public that weight – too much or too little - has a direct impact on the health and well-being of everyone, especially seniors.

As we age, maintaining a healthy weight is not only necessary but more challenging. The challenges include aging muscles that lose tone and limit a senior’s ability to exercise regularly to maintain daily physical activity levels; hormonal changes resulting in redistribution of weight and muscle loss; and finally, a lack of support or encouragement for weight loss/gain from family members and peers.

Understanding the risks associated with weight gain and loss in seniors is the first step in healthy weight management.

• Obesity is a leading risk factor for Type 2 Diabetes and heart disease.
• Being overweight can limit mobility and make maintaining independence more difficult due to strain on lower extremity joints.
• Obesity in senior citizens increases the risk of respiratory disease, arthritis and skin conditions.
• Losing weight is harder for older adults; therefore, reversing obesity is a challenge.
• Being underweight increases the risk of fractured bones and a weakened immune system.

Senior citizens can take simple steps to manage their weight and health. An annual physical is critical in identifying risk factors associated with gaining and losing weight. It is imperative seniors discuss with their doctor the appropriate diet and lifestyle changes that are needed to maintain a healthy weight.

For family members, discussing weight management can be challenging—sometimes the most effective way to discuss weight loss/gain with seniors is to remind them that maintaining a healthy weight can increase mobility and could allow them to participate in activities they enjoy for as long as possible.

MediNurse is St. Louis’ premier provider of private duty nursing services. MediNurse provides services that are customized to the individual needs of the client or patient and loved ones to ensure the best care possible. For more information, call 314-781-2800 or visit www.medinurse.com.