Barriers to Obese Seniors for Long-Term Weight Loss
September 18, 2015Obesity affects every age segment of our society. Since 1980, childhood obesity rates have tripled and adult obesity rates have doubled. Every age group faces a unique set of challenges and barriers in order to successfully overcome obesity through weight loss and ongoing weight management.
First Lady Michelle Obama champions the effort to fight childhood obesity, leading America’s “Move to Raising a Healthier Generation of Kids.” With nearly 33% of all children being officially classified as Overweight (a BMI of 25 to 29.9) or Obese (a BMI of 30 or greater), it is easy to see why this effort deserves the time and attention of the First Lady. Research shows that obese children are very likely to become obese adults, and suffer from illness and disease associated with obesity, risking what Mrs. Obama says is “The physical and emotional health of an entire generation and the economic health and security of our nation.”
In fact, the percentage of adults 60 years or older classified as overweight or obese now stands at 70%. These people grew up during an unprecedented increase in average daily calorie intake. Some studies have concluded that portion sizes in all meals doubled or tripled, with some fast food meal sizes increasing by four times, since the 1950’s. However, those statistics are just numbers and our senior population are not limited to living with obesity.
Physical, Nutritional, and Psychological Barriers
While the math behind the mantra “take in less calories than you burn up” is the only true formula for weight loss, the real-life implementation of this model: “eat well and exercise,” can be problematic for overweight and obese seniors. Directly related to their age, obese seniors face unique and significant physical, nutritional and psychological barriers when attempting the type of lifestyle change that “eating well and exercising” requires.
Obesity in seniors is a leading risk factor in heart disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, depression, elevated cholesterol, sleep apnea, and osteoarthritis. The incidence of diabetes in Americans over age 65 has doubled in the past fifteen years. These Americans represent 17% of the population and 42% of all diabetes cases. These chronic illnesses and diseases can create situations where it is more difficult to successfully remake nutritional habits and develop regular aerobic and strength training exercise programs. As our body ages, our body changes, our metabolism slows and lean muscle mass is diminished.
All of these situations can create the barriers mentioned earlier, creating conditions that make successful weight loss and weight management less likely to occur, and more difficult to achieve.
| Physical Barriers | Nutritional Barriers | Psychological Barriers |
|---|---|---|
| Limited mobility: bone and joint pain, arthritis, poor balance, diminished muscle mass, swelling of feet/legs | Complications from medications and other medical treatments (steroids, antibiotics, chemo, BP and cholesterol meds, etc.) | Fear of change, uncertainty of the process, overcoming a lifetime of habits, self-doubt |
| High blood pressure, poor circulation, blood sugar issues | Ulcers, GERD, IBS and other intestinal limitations | Lack of motivation due to slow results/Unrealistic expectations |
| Illness and disease: cancer, stroke, heart disease | Developed food allergies (gluten, dairy) | Social insecurities, worry about reactions of family and friends |
| Sleep apnea | Vitamin and mineral deficiencies | Admitting there is a problem and committing to change |
Best Plan for Nutrition and Exercise
Most people are overwhelmed by the amount of data easily available regarding nutrition, exercise and weight loss. It makes it difficult for them to develop a plan to combat their obesity. Any obese person aged 55 or more, with an unhealthy diet, and minimal or no regular physical exercise, will benefit from making small adjustments to their lifestyle in order to begin to eat well and exercise. Simply eat a little better and exercise a little more each day than the day before. You can fine-tune as you go.
It has been said that the best exercise program is the one that you’ll follow on a regular basis. Adding exercise to a daily routine can be problematic for the obese senior who is confronting the list of barriers detailed above. Obese people aged 55 and above should focus on finding activities that provide them one or more of the four exercise types recommended by the National Institute on Aging (part of the National Institutes of Health):
- Endurance
- Walking
- Biking
- Swimming
- Treadmill/Elliptical
- Strength
- Weights and Resistance
- Yoga
- Calisthenics
- Stretching
- Yoga
- Tai Chi
- Balance
- Tai Chi
- Dance
- Yoga
The key is to find activities that are enjoyable to the individual and will add to their quality of life. The goal is to do a little better than the day before (an additional repetition of weight lifting, an additional 15 seconds on the elliptical, a new Tai Chi position), not train to win Olympic Gold.
Obese people aged 55 and older face a unique set of challenges and barriers when attempting to lose weight, and when successful, maintaining their weight loss for the rest of their lives. The greatest likelihood of success will come to the person who has properly planned for their specific age related nutritional and physical needs, and incorporated eating and exercising life-style changes that add to, rather than detract from, their quality of life.
Being aware of potential barriers allows anyone struggling with obesity to overcome them. For seniors, or anyone, that keeps a focus on their health and practices the habits of good nutrition and being active, weight loss and maintenance can be achieved!
Photo credit: Patrick cc
 | ABOUT THE AUTHOR Bill Streetman battled his weight of 404 pounds for 20 years before he had RNY WLS on 10/4/2010. Bill is half the man he used to be and maintains a 200 pound weight loss. His journey has brought him tremendous improvement in health and fitness, in frame of mind and perspective on life, in energy levels and in his relationships with others. Bill also shares his journey story, by writing and speaking about the topic of living healthy after gastric bypass.Read more articles by Bill Streetman! |
