Preventative Health in Middle Adulthood
Middle adults between the age of 40-65 often experience a decline in health and fitness due to chronic stress. Common chronic stress symptoms are stomach aches, lower back pain, and hypertension.
Chronic diseases like osteoporosis, arthritis, atherosclerosis, hypertension, and diabetes increase in this age group.
Osteoporosis is a loss of bone tissue in the skeletal system created by deficiencies in calcium, and vitamin D. Increasing weight-bearing exercise, calcium, and Vitamin D can help maintain bone density. Practicing balance exercises can help to prevent falls.
Osteoarthritis is inflammation and a decrease of cartilage in a joint. Trauma to the joint and obesity correlates with arthritis. Rheumatism is an auto-immune disease where the body attacks its healthy tissues. Both Osteoarthritis and Rheumatism are considered arthritis.
The heart and circulatory system make up the cardiovascular system. Atherosclerosis, arteriosclerosis, and hypertension are common symptoms of heart disease. Atherosclerosis is when fat accumulates on the artery walls. Arteriosclerosis is when the arterial walls lose their elasticity. Both reduce blood flow and create hypertension. Hypertension is when the force of the blood pressure is too forceful. Keeping saturated fat and sodium intake to a minimum can help with decreasing cholesterol and blood pressure.
The risk of developing type two diabetes increases in middle adulthood. Obesity is often associated with type two diabetes. Diabetes is when the pancreas can not secret enough insulin to metabolize the adult’s blood sugar. Metabolic disorder is a condition that comes before diabetes. When treated through lifestyle habits, it can prevent the onset of type two diabetes.
A sedentary lifestyle leads to an increase in fat mass and a decrease in lean mass. Lean mass is more metabolically active; therefore, with less lean mass, the adult needs fewer calories per day. If they do not eat fewer calories per day or burn more calories, weight gain ensues.
Women enter menopause in middle adulthood. Men experience a decrease in testosterone, for both men and women hearing and eyesight declines.
Contrary to this bleak description of aging, this age group also shows a significant improvement in optimistic mood regulation, also known as emotional regulation. Therefore, it is possible that even though the aging process is occurring, the state of the individual may be more emotionally resilient in modulating responses to prevent or manage disease. A certified health and wellness coach can help the individual discover their interal motivation and set realistic goals to create and sustain healthy behaviors. Health and wellness coaches work in conjunction with your primary care physician to help you implement strategies that lead to better health, fitness and well-being. Adults in this age group still have an innate desire for mastery. This drive can be useful in finding internal motivation for preventative, secondary, or tertiary health behaviors and a health coach can be there every step of the way.
Working with a certified personal trainer can help with maintaining an adequate exercise program of mobility, stability, flexibility, stabilization, strength, and cardio can help preserve and build lean mass, keep joints and muscles flexible and keep the heart-healthy. A certified wellness coach can help you stay on track with eating a diet rich in organic vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fiber, lean protein, healthy fat, and water helps supply the body with adequate nutrition for health. Your health and wellness coach can also help you set a regular sleep schedule which can also help in preventing fatigue and cognitive decline.
Bigner, J. J., & Grayson, T. (2010). Foundations in human development. Redding, CA: BVT Pub. Chapter 8