Sedentary Lifestyle, Obesity, and Aging: Implication for Prevention

With typical physical activity and dietary habits, an average American adult will experience a BMI increase of approximately 5% each decade [1]. The life expectancy in 2012 was 79 years old [2], with BMI generally increasing starting as early as age 20 [3]. However, approximately 35% of US adults in 2012 are reported to be overweight or obese [4], accelerating these normal age-related changes in body weight leading to further weight gain. Obesity is the cause of many serious medical problems and reduces the quality of life. In older adults the effects could be exacerbated due to a decline in physical functions as a person ages. Implicitly, studies have shown that in older individuals, an increase in body weight is not simply due to increase in energy intake but significant reduction in energy expenditure due to sedentarism. Obesity in the general population is the result of sedentary lifestyle and substantial reduction in everyday physical activity [5]. Thus, it could be assumed that the combination of aging and obesity further promote sedentary lifestyles in older adults.