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Health August 2012

Aid for Age

Money Needed for Obesity in Seniors as Well as in Children

By Tait Trussell

More than one-third of adults in the United States, compared with 17 percent of the nation's children, are obese. Obesity increases seniors’ chances of developing or exacerbating many health problems, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, fatty liver disease, and some cancers. About 300,000 deaths a year are attributed to obesity.

Should Uncle Sam be spending more money studying how to keep kids away from French fries than for studies of why seniors face deadly dangers of obesity?

The federal government, led by First Lady Michelle Obama to study childhood obesity, worthy as it is, got Congress to spend $4.5 billion to curb kids’ obesity -- more than twice as much as being spent to find cures for obesity in those over 65. The action was called a must “because it is the government’s duty to protect poor and ethnic minority communities, which are overwhelmingly obese.”

“An army of public health officials warned that we will suffer an obesity crisis if the government doesn’t intervene, Judicial Watch reported. Almost half of the adult population will be obese by 2030 they fretted at a government-sponsored powwow, “clearly a forum to push the Administration’s agenda,” said Judicial Watch.

A case was made for public policy steps. Children, however, have a lifetime to change and eliminate the dangers of their obesity. But seniors are dying today from ailments brought on by being overweight. Why not also put a little more money in preventing old people from obesity-caused death?

More than one-third of adults in the United States, compared with 17 percent of the nation's children, are obese. Obesity increases seniors’ chances of developing or exacerbating many health problems, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, fatty liver disease, and some cancers. About 300,000 deaths a year are attributed to obesity.

Some $1.9 billion in federal money is being spent for studies of obesity in seniors, less than half the amount going into Michelle Obama’s program to reduce the obesity in the 17 percent of children 8 to 18 years of age who are way overweight. The Obama “Let’s Move” campaign aims to provide assistance and guidance to parents to support their efforts in raising healthier children, to provide healthier school lunches, and make healthful foods more accessible across the land.

Worthwhile goals for your grandchildren. Mrs. Obama and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack established the first major overhaul of school meals in 15 years. The popular pizza will have to be made now with less sodium. And more whole grains ad fruits and vegetables will be served. Entire meals now have calorie caps and most trans fats will be banned. Flavored milks will have to be nonfat. Some school districts have objected to some of the requirements as being too costly. Most school districts already serve fruits and vegetables with lunches.

In a nation where youngsters spend an average of 7.5 hours per day consuming entertainment media -- from TV, movies, Internet, and video games to cell phones -- how are kids supposed to get the minimum exercise each day when they’re so busy texting? One way is to “double the number of child participants in the President’s Active Lifestyle Challenge, which is being modernized to reflect overall physical activeness rather than athleticism.”

If we could keep obesity rates level for all ages, rather than rising, the country could save $550 billion in medical costs -- the estimate of a new study. Action is needed to keep weight rates from rising, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Obesity has many causes. Although eating healthy and exercise are essential, obesity can be inherited, can be caused by metabolic or chemical reactions in the cells, and socioeconomic factors as well as behavior.

For people age 65 and older, we already know that hormonal changes such as declines in testosterone, lack of sleep, and depression can lead to obesity. As you age, your body’s ability to metabolize food slows down. Research for elders is needed not only in potential cures for diabetes, high blood pressure, and some cancers, but also the known and yet-to-be-known causes of obesity in the elderly.

The National Institute on Aging can be reached on line at www.nia.gov.

 

Tait Trussell is an old guy and fourth-generation professional journalist who writes extensively about aging issues among a myriad of diverse topics.

Meet Tait