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Obesity and Healthy Aging

Columbia Southern University

PUH 6301 Public Health Research

February 2, 2020

Obesity has currently become a significant health problem, and it is common amongst older age groups. The research topic in this paper is about how and to what extent obesity affects healthy aging. Various research articles have linked obesity to quick aging due to increased abdominal obesity. Obesity is a condition of serious concern among the elderly since it causes early death due to severe complications in human health Salvestrini, & Lorenzini (2019). To access the peer-reviewed journal articles, sources, and databases like the US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health and Frontiers were useful. Common keywords used in research about obesity and healthy aging include “healthy aging, obesity, health consequences, socially functional, and mental well-being, and the aging process among the elderly.” These keywords were essential in accessing the peer-reviewed journal articles from online databases that can be used in research about obesity and healthy aging.

Analysis of the articles

The first peer-reviewed article by Jura & Kozak (2016) covers the condition of obesity and the related consequences to aging. Authors view obesity as a serious issue of concern amongst the aging population because it is associated with increased abdominal obesity that contributes to insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome. The authors state that recent advancements in public health care and medical science have led to a significant extension of life expectancy, and the ability to stay longer for people aged above 65 years has risen. To counter the issue of obesity that shortens life expectancy, the healthcare industry should first consider addressing other chronic diseases that are age-related like stroke, diabetes, and heart attacks. As such, changes in lifestyle for the aging population as they enter retirement is deemed to cause severe positive energy balance state and consequently accumulation of excess fat tissue that leads to the development of many elderly-associated diseases like obesity and cardiovascular disease.

The other journal article by Rao & Wendy (2018) is quantitative research on obesity and its impact on healthy aging based on the social, mental well-being, and functional factors. Primary research conducted by the authors of this article demonstrates that participants reported to be adversely affected by the condition of obesity. Those with obesity reported a lower multi-morbidity rate when compared to those living without obesity. The findings of this study depict that sexes amongst the aging Canadian population were not impacted independently because everyone was at risk of developing the ailment. As such, they both reported functional impairments in health. In this regard, obesity has an adverse impact on the aging process of an individual.

The last research article by Salvestrini, & Lorenzini (2019) validates the statement that ‘obesity may accelerate the aging process.’ The authors mentioned some pathophysiological changes that are influenced by obesity among the elderly. The fact that obesity is contributing to increased death rates is validated using the prevalent issues of disability. Currently, obesity is expanding at a very worrying rate amongst adults and the elderly due to the changing lifestyles and dieting styles. Obesity is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, cancer, and work disability hence contributing to poor health status and morbidity rates.

In conclusion, the above peer-reviewed articles have demonstrated in-depth research conducted by professional researchers to discuss how and to what extent obesity affects healthy aging. Obesity is a condition of serious concern among the elderly since it causes early death due to severe complications in human health. Obesity is a risk factor for other chronic diseases like cancer, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes that accelerate the aging process and death rate.

References

Jura, M., & Kozak, L. P. (2016). Obesity and related consequences to aging. Age, 38(1), 23. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5005878/

Rao & Wendy, T. (2018). Original quantitative research Obesity and healthy aging: social, functional and mental well-being among older Canadians. Health promotion and chronic disease prevention in Canada: research, policy and practice, 38(12), 437. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6329578/

Salvestrini, V., & Lorenzini, A. (2019). Obesity may accelerate the aging process. Frontiers in endocrinology, 10, 266. https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2019.00266