Healthy Aging

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Why Should I Be Active?

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• Additional Resources

Being active can help prevent muscle and bone loss. It can also help you prevent or delay conditions like diabetes and heart disease. Being active may also help you feel good and enjoy life more. It can even help fight depression. And an increasing number of studies suggest that keeping your body fit helps your brain stay fit too. Regular activity as you continue to age can also help you stay independent and doing things on your own.

Generally, it can help you live a longer, healthier life. So get moving!

Additional Resources

Publications

1.   Exercise & Physical Activity: Your Everyday Guide from the National Institute on Aging — This 80-page illustrated booklet provides healthy older people with scientifically accurate recommendations about exercise. In addition to providing sample exercises, the booklet explains the benefits of the exercises, how to stay motivated, and how to track your progress.

   http://www.nia.nih.gov/HealthInformation/Publications/ExerciseGuide/

2.   Exercise for Older Adults — This publication discusses the benefits of exercise for older adults by using both written material and short instructional videos. It provides information on safety, different exercises and charting your progress.

   http://nihseniorhealth.gov/exercise/toc.html

3.   Healthy Eating and Physical Activity Across Your Lifespan: Young at Heart: Tips for Older Adults — This booklet gives tips for older adults on eating healthy, getting active, and losing weight.

   http://win.niddk.nih.gov/publications/young_heart.htm

4. Aging in the Know: Physical Activity (Copyright © FHA) — This publication explains what the health benefits of physical activity are, how much exercise you should do, and what the benefits of different activities are.

   http://www.healthinaging.org/agingintheknow/chapters_ch_trial.asp?ch=11

5. Exercises for the Elderly (Copyright © AAFP) — This publication provides information on how to start an exercise program, what type of exercises you should do, and when to call a doctor.

   http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/seniors/staying/754.html

Organizations

1.   Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity, NCCDPHP, CDC
2.   National Institute on Aging, NIH, HHS
3.   Smallstep.gov
4.   Weight-Control Information Network, NIDDK, NIH, HHS
5. AGS Foundation for Health in Aging
6. American Association of Retired Persons (AARP)

= Indicates Federal Resources

Content last updated March 5, 2009.