Disease Trends and Delivery of Healthcare
Disease Trends and Delivery of Health Care Services
Jacqueline Allen
HCA/240
February 3, 2013
Dr. Selena Monk
Abstract
The prevalence of obesity is increasing in all age groups in the United States. Over the past 30 years, the sum of older adults who are obese has doubled. This paper will attempt to show the impact on the quality of life, and the health issues related to obesity on the aging population. Although there is an increase in the rates of obesity among the older population; the majority are not obese and still enjoy active and healthy lives.
Disease Trends and Delivery of Health Care Services
As of 2010, the population over 65 in the United States was 40 million (13% of the total population), it is projected to rise to 71 million by 2030. The continued increase in obesity among older Americans is likely to be a much larger problem in the future. According to the CDC data the prevalence of obesity in seniors over 85 is about half that of adults between 50 and 59, the fact that more than 15% of the older American population is obese. As more of the population continues to age, the numbers of chronic illnesses that often accompany aging will increase. These costly chronic diseases are often worsened by obesity.
The body fat mass that shows the level of obesity begins with the connection between energy intake and expenditure. When people consume more calories than they can burn, weight gain occurs. We need calories to sustain life and produce enough energy to be active; however to maintain a healthy weight we need to balance the amount we are eating with the energy we expend. In those who are 65 years and older how much we eat doesn’t decrease; we use less energy, hormonal changes occur, and we accumulate fat.
Observations by professionals in health care have led to the belief that obesity tends to run in families. Science does show a connection in some cases between obesity and genes. Bouchard (1989) found that visceral fat is more
Jacqueline Allen
HCA/240
February 3, 2013
Dr. Selena Monk
Abstract
The prevalence of obesity is increasing in all age groups in the United States. Over the past 30 years, the sum of older adults who are obese has doubled. This paper will attempt to show the impact on the quality of life, and the health issues related to obesity on the aging population. Although there is an increase in the rates of obesity among the older population; the majority are not obese and still enjoy active and healthy lives.
Disease Trends and Delivery of Health Care Services
As of 2010, the population over 65 in the United States was 40 million (13% of the total population), it is projected to rise to 71 million by 2030. The continued increase in obesity among older Americans is likely to be a much larger problem in the future. According to the CDC data the prevalence of obesity in seniors over 85 is about half that of adults between 50 and 59, the fact that more than 15% of the older American population is obese. As more of the population continues to age, the numbers of chronic illnesses that often accompany aging will increase. These costly chronic diseases are often worsened by obesity.
The body fat mass that shows the level of obesity begins with the connection between energy intake and expenditure. When people consume more calories than they can burn, weight gain occurs. We need calories to sustain life and produce enough energy to be active; however to maintain a healthy weight we need to balance the amount we are eating with the energy we expend. In those who are 65 years and older how much we eat doesn’t decrease; we use less energy, hormonal changes occur, and we accumulate fat.
Observations by professionals in health care have led to the belief that obesity tends to run in families. Science does show a connection in some cases between obesity and genes. Bouchard (1989) found that visceral fat is more