The fitness industry is one of the fastest growing industries in the world. According to the World Health Organization, in 2010, almost one billion people worldwide were considered overweight. It is predicted that by 2015, the number of overweight individuals will have increased to 2.3 billion.
Due to this growing obesity rate, the fitness industry is also growing at a steady rate. Companies such as Nike, Adidas, and Reebok are currently offering specific fitness programs that will help the individual to stay fit, while maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
There are many fitness programs available today. What is your age, If you are an older adult, how will you stay fit in the years to come.Are there any fitness programs that are specifically designed for older adults.
There is no denying that there is a growing fitness trend for older adults. The question is what are the advantages of staying fit as you age, Here are several reasons why older adults should consider fitness programs:
Reduces the risk of Chronic diseases
Chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer have been linked to a sedentary lifestyle. It is estimated that each year, around two million people in the United States are diagnosed with a form of cancer. The type of cancer that is most commonly diagnosed in the older adult population is breast cancer.
Studies have also linked a sedentary lifestyle to the development of Type 2 diabetes. The American Diabetes Association reports that around two million people in the United States currently have diabetes. Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness, kidney failure, and amputation in older adults.
Heart disease is a leading cause of death in the United States. According to the American Heart Association, around 685,000 people in the United States died from heart disease in 2010.
The good news is that there are fitness programs that can reduce the risk of the chronic diseases that are often associated with a sedentary lifestyle.
Weight loss
Weight gain is common as we age. The average American gains around one pound of weight every year after the age of 35. The risk of developing Type 2 diabetes also increases when weight gain occurs.
A study was conducted in which over two thousand older adults were divided into two groups. The first group consisted of the older adults that were overweight, while the second group consisted of the older adults that were not overweight.
Over the next five years, the study revealed that the older adults that were overweight gained an average of three pounds of weight, while the older adults that were not overweight gained an average of two pounds of weight.
The study showed that the older adults that were overweight were at a higher risk for developing Type 2 diabetes. Weight loss is a common part of the fitness programs for older adults, and can lead to a healthier lifestyle.