Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Baby Boomers and Obesity

The baby boomer generation is outlasting all previous generations when it comes to living longer---but are we living any healthier?

A new study indicates that obesity could become a major cause of disability among today’s baby boomers.

Researchers from the University of California recently used survey information to compare disability rates among people in their sixties from two different time periods. They found that the group in the more recent time period had higher obesity rates and were far more likely to have problems walking or even getting out of bed.

Obesity can have a direct negative effect on joints and the cardiovascular system, and both of these problems can lead to disability as we age.

No explanation was given in the study as to why obesity and disability were higher among boomers. Could the expanding age of technology be the cause of our expanding waistlines and beyond? Coud this lead to more and more boomers going under the knife for a tummy tuck or liposuction?

What do you think?

No comments: