Too skinny?

I know it's not my usual topic.

I talk about weight loss on this blog for a very good reason: most Americans today (and perhaps most members of the civilized world) are overweight. Here in the US, the percentage of overweight citizens has climbed to around 70%! And the percentage who are obese is now hovering close to 40%!!! I believe this epidemic needs to be addressed. However, the opposite--too "skinny"--is also not desirable.

If you have known anyone who has fought anorexia, you know this disease can be difficult to cure. And it can be fatal. If you or someone you know is dangerously skinny, please get professional help immediately.

But anorexia is not my focus here. I want to discuss weight loss as we age. Lots of older folks begin to lose weight because they are losing MUSCLE. This is the exact opposite of what we need as we age. Excess fat can cause all kinds of problems, but there is no such thing as excess muscle! Most of us, whether young, middle-aged, or elderly, don't have enough muscle mass.

More muscle means:

1) Better metabolism--more calories burned even when not exercising. Muscle is much more metabolically active than fat. That is, muscle cells are constantly using energy, whether you are jogging, stretching, sitting, or sleeping. Fat cells, on the other hand, use almost no energy.

2) Better balance. The stronger you are, especially through your legs and core, the less likely you are to fall down. Older adults who remain strong have fewer injuries from accidental falls.

3) Stronger bones. Strengthening activities like weight lifting not only increase muscle mass but also build bone mass. The action of the muscles tugging on the bones creates both stronger muscles and stronger bones.

4) Longer life. Senior citizens who remain strong and active into their golden years will not only live longer, but will have more fulfilling and happier years. Being stronger means being more independent as we age, perhaps living alone, or at least needing less help from others.

And while obesity is not desirable at any age, losing too much weight--especially muscle--as we age can mean the difference between surviving a serious injury or hospitalization and dying. Someone who has already lost most of their muscle mass has very little reserves to depend on when hospitalized. A serious accident or infection might be the end.

So older adults need to aim for more muscle mass, more strength, more agility, and more balance. A little excess weight is not a bad thing at all for the elderly--for anyone, really!--as long as that weight is made of muscle!