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Let’s be clear—staying at a healthy weight is one of the best ways to help avoid many life-threatening diseases, including diabetes, heart disease and some forms of cancer. But if you are overweight, being physically fit can still help you live longer. Longer, even, than your thin but unfit friends.
So says a study, recently published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, of 2,600 men and women age 60 and older. Researchers found that those classified as fit were more than 50 percent less likely to die than unfit people, no matter their weight. They were also less likely to have risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
"Older individuals need to be concerned about their fitness level," lead researcher Steven N. Blair, a professor at the University of South Carolina Arnold School of Public Health, told HealthDay. "There is perhaps too much focus on body weight, and fitness is only an afterthought. Cardio-respiratory fitness is a strong determinate of mortality in older men and women."
You don’t have to train like an Olympic athlete to be fit, Blair said. You only need 30 minutes of moderate exercise, such as brisk walking, five days a week. And you don’t need to do it all at once. Three 10-minute walks a day are all it takes to up your fitness level -- and your chances for a longer life.
SOURCES: Journal of the American Medical Association, National Library of Medicine
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The information provided is intended to help you make informed decisions. The Genworth Financial companies do not provide medical information, advice or recommendations. Consult your physician before making major changes in your lifestyle or health care regimen. Please note that Wellness partners, their products, services, and offers may change over time.
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