Understanding Calorie Intake and Physical Activity for Senior Health
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle becomes more important for our general well-being as the years pass by. Two methods for ensuring the best health are understanding calorie intake and having consistent physical activity. Both are essential for weight management, preventing chronic illnesses, and keeping seniors healthy. However, understanding exactly what is needed can be confusing, which is where companion care at home comes in. With home care support, seniors can learn how to be in control of their daily calorie intake and how much physical exercise they need.
What are Calories?
Calories are units of energy found in the foods and beverages we eat. The body requires calories to function correctly. The quantity of calories required each day is determined by a variety of factors, including age, gender, activity level, and overall health.
With this in mind, it’s also important to understand the metabolism naturally slows down with age, which means most seniors need fewer calories than when they were younger. Still, they need to ensure they get enough calories each day to maintain muscle mass, bone health, and energy levels.
How Much Should Seniors Eat?
When looking at physical activity, the following calorie ranges are what seniors should shoot for.
- Sedentary Seniors: Seniors who get little to no physical exercise will typically require 1,600-2,000 calories per day.
- Moderately Active Seniors: Seniors who engage in light physical exercise such as walking will need around 1,800–2,200 calories per day.
- Active Seniors: Seniors who work out regularly will need more calories. Their range might be as high as 2,000–2,400 calories per day.
Seniors should focus on nutrient-dense diets rather than merely the number of calories. With the help of companion care at home, they can learn what foods are rich in vitamins, minerals, and other vital nutrients. As much as possible, seniors should stay away from added sugars, harmful fats, and empty calories, like what is in soda.
The Role of Physical Activity
With the above information in mind, it’s easy to see that physical activity is just as important as calorie intake. Exercise helps seniors maintain a healthy weight and muscle mass while also enhancing balance and improving their cardiovascular health. Regular physical activity can also help avoid chronic illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes, and osteoporosis.
The CDC suggests that seniors should try to get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity, such as walking or swimming, every week. It’s also a good idea for seniors to add some form of strength training a couple of times a week. It should be noted that even simple activities such as gardening, stretching, or taking brief walks can have a significant impact over time.
How Do Calorie Intake and Physical Activity Work Together?
The balance of calories consumed and physical activity impacts whether seniors gain, lose, or maintain weight. For instance, if they eat more calories than their body needs without burning them via physical exercise, the excess calories are stored as fat, resulting in weight gain. However, if they burn more calories than they eat, the body will use the stored fat as energy, resulting in weight loss.
Finding a balance is important for seniors’ long-term health and their overall general health and well-being.
If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring Companion Care at Home in Silver Lake, CA, please contact the caring staff at Home Care Help. Serving All of Los Angeles County. Call us today at (888) 989-7388
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