Report: Obesity Threatens Seniors' Health
More Seniors Uninsured Than In Past
POSTED: 9:12 am CDT May 21, 2002
WASHINGTON -- Elderly Americans are facing a new health threat -- obesity. 
The AARP reports that the percentage of those over 50 who are obese is now nearly 27 percent. In 1982, just 14 percent of older Americans were obese. The AARP says obesity threatens to wipe out such health gains as Americans smoking less and developing fewer disabilities than those in earlier generations. The report found that more women are getting mammograms, and more older Americans report getting preventive services like blood pressure checks, cholesterol screening and prostate exams. However, more people between the ages of 50 and 64 are uninsured today than in the past."Americans age 50-plus have the chance to capitalize on wonderful advances in medical care and public health. But they need a chain of dominoes to fall right—initial good health, adequate health care coverage, access to quality care, and a system that encourages informed decision-making," said AARP Policy and Strategy Director John Rother. "Missing one of these dominoes puts a person's -- and a generation's -- whole health security at risk."The good news is that at age 50, Americans can expect to live another 30 years, almost nine years longer than expected in 1900, and fewer are suffering disabilities.People over age 50 should engage in at least 30 minutes of activity five times a week, according to the AARP.The AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization for people 50 and over.
The AARP reports that the percentage of those over 50 who are obese is now nearly 27 percent. In 1982, just 14 percent of older Americans were obese. The AARP says obesity threatens to wipe out such health gains as Americans smoking less and developing fewer disabilities than those in earlier generations. The report found that more women are getting mammograms, and more older Americans report getting preventive services like blood pressure checks, cholesterol screening and prostate exams. However, more people between the ages of 50 and 64 are uninsured today than in the past."Americans age 50-plus have the chance to capitalize on wonderful advances in medical care and public health. But they need a chain of dominoes to fall right—initial good health, adequate health care coverage, access to quality care, and a system that encourages informed decision-making," said AARP Policy and Strategy Director John Rother. "Missing one of these dominoes puts a person's -- and a generation's -- whole health security at risk."The good news is that at age 50, Americans can expect to live another 30 years, almost nine years longer than expected in 1900, and fewer are suffering disabilities.People over age 50 should engage in at least 30 minutes of activity five times a week, according to the AARP.The AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization for people 50 and over.Distributed by Internet Broadcasting Systems, Inc. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
