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Health Policy Institute’s Grim Report On Aging and Obesity

” Some 15 million older adults — people over the age of 51 — are obese. This represents nearly one in four older adults. While obesity itself is not a chronic condition, it is a risk factor for many chronic conditions, including four of the ten leading causes of death in the U.S. — coronary heart disease, type II diabetes, stroke and several forms of cancer.”

Did You Know That

• Disability rates are higher among adults who are obese.
• Obese older adults are more likely to be severely disabled than those who are not obese.
• Older adults who are obese are more likely to suffer from persistent and chronic symptoms of illness.
• 22 percent of obese adults age 51 to 69 say they frequently feel severely fatigued or exhausted.
• Older obese adults are more likely than older non-obese adults to have difficulty or be unable to participate in activities such as walking any distance, going shopping, or attending movies, parties, or other social events.

Source: Georgetown University Health Policy Institute

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Read the full report here: Obesity Among Older Americans