Summary of Health Articles - Essay Example

Summary of Health Articles In a study published in the Journal of Gerontology, it was a general consensus that physical activity is less common amongolder adults, specifically those above the age of 65. Leisure-time physical activities were found to be more common in the lives of the younger elderly, specifically ages 60-69, than in the older adults; women were found to have lower physical activity than men, and White men were found to have more than male minorities. The main focus of this publication was to stress the importance of aerobic exercise and its effect on the health of the elderly.

The Singapore Medical Journal put out a study evaluating the state of Health maintained by the elderly in the Singapore. About 17% of these people were found dependent in at least one way in their activities of daily living. Most of the women, especially those above the age of 75 were found to be dependent in more than one way. Singapore has the fastest growing elderly population in Asia and it is estimated to triple over the next twenty years. This rapidly aging region of the world is estimated to spend 11% of its Gross Domestic Product on solely health related costs.

The major concern that warrants this study is the increasingly high cost of looking after the elderly. In The Journal of Nutrition, Health & Aging, a study was performed to evaluate the quality of exercise prevalent in low income communities. This was done through having subjects perform 6 minute walk tests, checking their blood pressure, and analyzing the activities in their daily lives (ADL). The upper body strength of most individuals, as well as their estimated body fat at the beginning of the project, was not affected, but their blood pressure did tend to decrease.

There was also a dramatic increase in lower body strength of these individuals. The results can be expected from a younger group of individuals, but part of its sociological value stems from its use on the elderly. Work CitedFunctional Status of the Elderly in Singapore. Singapore Medical Journal 1999; Vol. 40 No. 10Journal of Gerontology: Social Sciences 2006. Vol. 61B, No. 5The Journal of Nutrition, Health & Aging. Volume 10, Number1, 2006