The Gerontologist (August 2005)

Researchers studied more than 7,100 obese Americans aged 70 and over and found they had a life expectancy parallel to that of thinner subjects in the same age group. Obese people, however, were more likely to suffer from physical disability. At age 70, men could expect to live an additional 12.3 years if they were non-obese and 12.4 years if they were obese. Women age 70 could expect to live 15.3 years if they were non-obese and 15.5 years if they were obese. However, there was a difference when it came to ability levels. Non-obese men could expect to live 9.8 active years and 2.5 disabled years beyond the age of 70, while obese men could only expect to live 8.4 active years and 4.0 years with disability. In the same sample, women averaged 10.5 active years and 4.8 disabled years if they were non-obese, and 8.1 active years and 7.4 disabled years if they were obese.

American Journal of Public Health (September 2005)

Researchers examined trends in obesity and arthritis prevalence among the “baby boom” (1946–1965) and “silent” (1926–1945) generations using successive waves of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1971–2002). Obesity rates increased markedly, beginning earlier in life with each successive birth cohort. When the members of the silent generation were aged 35 to 44 years, 14 percent to 18 percent were obese. At comparable ages, 28 percent to two percent of the youngest baby boomers were obese. Results showed that members of the baby boom generation were more obese and became so at younger ages than their predecessors. Although differences in arthritis prevalence are not yet evident, findings suggested that obesity has contributed to more cases of arthritis in recent years than in previous decades.

Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine (July/August 2005)

The slow stretches and meditations of yoga don’t burn calories like a run on the treadmill, but a new study suggests it might help people keep weight off in middle age. Researchers collected data from 15,500 persons between the ages of 53 and 57 who were asked about exercise, weight, health, and diet histories. Overweight people in their 50s who regularly practiced yoga lost about five pounds over 10 years, while a group in the same age range gained about 13½ pounds over the same period. Middle-aged people of normal weight generally put on pounds over 10 years, but those who did yoga gained less weight than those who didn’t practice yoga.

Sex and Aging   
AARP The Magazine (July/August, 2005)

AARP conducted a representative national survey of more than 1,600 adults ages 45 and older on the topic of their sex lives. Sixty-six percent of men and 48 percent of women said that satisfying sex is important to their quality of life. Twenty-two percent of men have tried Viagra, Levitra, Cialis, or other treatments to enhance their sexual ability, and a majority of these men say treatments have increased their sexual satisfaction. In terms of important aspects of one's quality of life, good spirits; good health; close ties with friends and family; financial security; spiritual well-being; and a good relationship with a partner were all rated as more important than a fulfilling sexual connection. For more results, see “Sex in America” at www.aarpmagazine.org/relationships.

Kaiser Family Foundation (August 25, 2005)

The Kaiser Health Poll Report Survey was conducted among a nationally representative sample of 1,205 adults ages 18 and older, including 300 respondents 65 years of age and older. The August poll showed about one in three (32 percent) older adults have a favorable impression of the Medicare drug benefit and an equal number have a negative one. Favorable views are up since April, when about one in five (21 percent) said they had a favorable impression. The survey shows modest progress in reported understanding of the new benefit. Overall, 37 percent of older persons now say they understand the new benefit “very” or “somewhat” well, up from 29 percent in April. Sixty percent say they don’t understand the benefit well or at all. The tracking poll results are available at http://www.kff.org/kaiserpolls/med082505pkg.cfm.

Economic and Policy Implications of Longevity           

Journal of the American Geriatrics Society (September 2005)

A thoughtful essay by noted health policy expert Bruce Vladeck identifies five critical areas about the coming “graying of America.” First, patterns of work life and labor-force participation will change. Second, government expenditures now, financed largely by payroll and federal income taxes, will increase, whereas those financed by state and local property taxes will fall, at least proportionately. Third, the post-World War II pattern of suburbanized, automobile-dependent communities will pose challenges to serving an aging population. Fourth, family caregiving patterns will change. Fifth, the level of disability and dependence of older people will have a major effect on all these and other phenomena.

Global Study on Retirement           

HSBC Bank (August 2005)

The Future of Retirement project, sponsored by London-based HSBC Bank, involved asking 11,453 adults in 10 countries about how they envisioned their futures. The major finding of this study is the overwhelming agreement among those surveyed that they do not want to be judged by their age alone; they also want to be judged by their energy, their attitude, and what they are contributing to the world. In the more developed countries, such as the U.S., Canada, Britain, France, and Hong Kong, people rejected the notion of retiring and "just more of the same." What they wanted were new beginnings with new challenges.  They wanted to be involved, productive, and connected within the new lifestyle. See the report at www.hsbc.com/public/groupsite/retirement_future/en/

_overview_future_of_retirement.jhtml.

Life Guides Available      

The International Longevity Center-USA (August 2005)

The Alliance for Health & the Future developed a series of Life Guides that aim to assist individuals to maintain various aspects of their health throughout life. The Guides provide scientifically-based recommendations in areas that have not yet received a great deal of attention. The first two Life Guides have been completed, one on vision and one on cognitive vitality. The guide on cognitive health presents various ways in which one can protect and promote brain power. The new publications are available at www.healthandfuture.org/ lifeguides.html.