Study: Middle-aged lifestyle affects health as they age

No one among humans wants to appear exhausted and weak in old age. To do this, the foundations for healthy aging must be laid before puberty.

And scientists have proven in a multi-year study by the American Heart Association that exercise, physical activity, and a diet high in vegetables and fruits in middle age help promote health. heart rate and improve metabolism in the elderly.

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Doctors generally recommend 150 minutes of moderate exercise or 75 minutes of strenuous exercise per week. A balanced and varied diet rich in vitamins, minerals and dietary fibers.
During this study, the researchers decided to make sure that these recommendations actually help and prevent the development of serious illnesses in the future, such as metabolic syndrome – its symptoms include high blood pressure, overweight, and low insulin sensitivity. This syndrome is associated with risks of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

The researchers studied data from participants in the biennial Heart Disease Study Program, which began in 1953 (Framingham Heart StudyВикипедия) and included 5,209 people of both sexes, and its results helped determine risk factors for developing heart disease: high cholesterol, blood pressure, smoking, obesity and a low level of physical activity.

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The descendants of the first participants (the third generation) took part in this study in 2002, because it included 2,379 people, their average age is 47 years and the percentage of women was 54%. During the years 2008-2011, the researchers studied their physical activity and their eating habits, since they wore special devices for eight days to record their movements, and answered a questionnaire about their diet. Researchers found that 28% of them followed key recommendations about a healthy lifestyle. And 47% of them only followed one recommendation. This process was repeated in 2016-2019 and, based on its results, the researchers came to specific conclusions.

The researchers found that the risk of developing metabolic syndrome in participants who exercised regularly was 51% lower than in others. This figure rose to 33% among those whose diet was varied and healthy. As for those who followed both systems, this percentage rose to 65%.

Experts point out that all participants in this study are middle-aged and Eurasian in race, so it should be checked whether its results apply to representatives of other races and age groups.
The study is published in the Journal of the American Heart Association

Source: Vesti. Ru

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