Why getting bariatric surgery later in life can help restore vitality, improve health, and allow for a better retirement.
By this point it is a well-known fact that obesity rates have been on the rise. It’s been all over the news, HBO put out a multi-part documentary on the subject and countless books have been published, all echoing the fact that in the last 30 years obesity rates have more than doubled.
The South, including Atlanta, is one of the biggest hotbeds for obesity in the United States. From the White House to the Food Network, focus has shifted to helping people develop a healthier lifestyle. And while so many are focused on helping the youngest among us develop healthier lifestyles, there is another population who is actually at one of the highest health risks.
According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, which was conducted from 2007 to 2010, adults aged 65 and older are at one of the highest risks for obesity, as well as health-related consequences associated with being overweight.
Those between the age of 65 and 74 are one of the most likely populations to be overweight or obese, and women are more likely to be obese than are men. Based on statistics about the rate of obesity among younger generations, it is likely that by 2050 there will be almost 90 million adults over the age of 65 who are obese. At the moment, about 35% of our senior population are obese.
Being obese later in life actually poses incredible health threats. While risk of heart disease and diabetes are increased even in younger years, in the later years of life these threats become more severe. Adults who are obese are more likely to be disabled, and are at an increased risk of hospitalization, as well.
In 2011, researchers from the University of Minnesota Medical School focused on the effectiveness that weight loss surgery has on adults who are over the age of 65. They found that in general, the medical benefits and weight loss results among older adults are no different than they are for patients in their 30s. While adults over 65 often face longer hospital stays when recovering from the bariatric procedure, the weight loss experienced by the patients was actually found to decrease their risk of facing hospital stays for obesity related causes in the future.
It is never too late to do what is right for your health. Make the most of the years ahead of you by getting in the best shape of your life. There is inspiration all around you, whether that is your dreams, your family, or your own happiness. Weight loss surgery is a good option for overcoming obesity at any age.
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