Effects of Aging
The Effects of Aging
Krista Halverson
September 4, 2010
Human Lifespan Development Barbara Kennedy
The transformation that takes place throughout one’s life is inevitable. The growth and development of becoming an adult forces many body and mind changes. Physical appearance, mental capability and other issues all take place in our later adult years. All of these changes happen at different times for everyone. Nobody ages at the same rate. Aging is impossible to run away from but millions of people spend countless dollars to slow the aging process. The biggest notable changes occur between the ages of 50 and 60. Some physical changes can be postponed by frequent medical visits with a doctor. Most in the prime of their lives do everything one can to lead a healthy lifestyle. As we grow older, we have a tendency to stop being careful with what we eat. Our diets go by the wayside and in turn, our physical health suffers. When an elderly person stops eating healthy, he or she begins to become malnourished. Several factors of malnourishment are the teeth become weak and may even begin to fall out. The mind is not as strong and virulent as the body is suffering huge vitamin deficiencies because of the lack of proper diet. Due to the teeth being less strong, an elderly may have to resort to soft foods that will encourage the malnutrition. A study conducted on eating and the elderly showed signs that the social factors involved with the elderly have a very large role in how much and what an aging adult eats. “We have demonstrated that meals eaten with other people are 46% larger than meals eaten alone, and the more people present at the meal, the more will be eaten” (de Castro, p. 1). Exercise along with healthy eating also plays an important role in the aging process. “The inactive older adult – a large proportion of the population – has an increased burden of chronic conditions associated with a sedentary
Krista Halverson
September 4, 2010
Human Lifespan Development Barbara Kennedy
The transformation that takes place throughout one’s life is inevitable. The growth and development of becoming an adult forces many body and mind changes. Physical appearance, mental capability and other issues all take place in our later adult years. All of these changes happen at different times for everyone. Nobody ages at the same rate. Aging is impossible to run away from but millions of people spend countless dollars to slow the aging process. The biggest notable changes occur between the ages of 50 and 60. Some physical changes can be postponed by frequent medical visits with a doctor. Most in the prime of their lives do everything one can to lead a healthy lifestyle. As we grow older, we have a tendency to stop being careful with what we eat. Our diets go by the wayside and in turn, our physical health suffers. When an elderly person stops eating healthy, he or she begins to become malnourished. Several factors of malnourishment are the teeth become weak and may even begin to fall out. The mind is not as strong and virulent as the body is suffering huge vitamin deficiencies because of the lack of proper diet. Due to the teeth being less strong, an elderly may have to resort to soft foods that will encourage the malnutrition. A study conducted on eating and the elderly showed signs that the social factors involved with the elderly have a very large role in how much and what an aging adult eats. “We have demonstrated that meals eaten with other people are 46% larger than meals eaten alone, and the more people present at the meal, the more will be eaten” (de Castro, p. 1). Exercise along with healthy eating also plays an important role in the aging process. “The inactive older adult – a large proportion of the population – has an increased burden of chronic conditions associated with a sedentary