Study shows active older adults have better physical and mental health


Date:
October 20, 2020
Source:
American Cancer Society
Summary:
Older adults with higher physical activity and lower sitting time
have better overall physical and mental health, according to a
new study.



FULL STORY ========================================================================== Older adults with higher physical activity and lower sitting time have
better overall physical and mental health, according to a new study
from the American Cancer Society (ACS). The study, appearing in the
journal, CANCER, suggests that higher amounts of regular moderate-
to vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA) and lower duration of
sedentary time is associated with higher global mental and physical
health for older cancer survivors and older adults, in general.


==========================================================================
With a rapidly aging population and nearly 16.9 million cancer survivors
in the United States today, there is a need to identify strategies
associated with healthy aging and improving quality of life for
aging cancer survivors. Being physically active is related to several
health benefits, and in this study, ACS investigators led by Dr. Erika Rees-Punia analyzed self-reported aerobic and muscle-strengthening
physical activities, sitting time, and mental and physical health among
nearly 78,000 participants in the ACS's Cancer Prevention Study II
Nutrition Cohort. Participants (average age 78 years) included older
cancer survivors up to 10 years post-diagnosis, and cancer-free adults.

The investigators found that regardless of cancer history, the differences
in global mental and physical health between the most and least active,
and the least and most sedentary, were clinically meaningful. These
findings provide evidence for the importance of engaging in regular MVPA
and decreasing sitting time as a reasonable non-pharmacologic strategy to improve quality of life in older men and women, with or without a prior
cancer diagnosis. In fact, the recently published ACS physical activity guidelines recommend that adults get 150-300 minutes of moderate-intensity activity or 75-150 minutes of vigorous- intensity activity through the
week, and to limit sedentary behaviors such as screen-based entertainment.

"The findings reinforce the importance of moving more and sitting less
for both physical and mental health, no matter your age or history of
cancer," said Rees-Punia. "This is especially relevant now as so many of
us, particularly cancer survivors, may be staying home to avoid COVID-19 exposure, and may be feeling a little isolated or down. A simple walk
or other physical activity that you enjoy may be good for your mind
and body."

========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by American_Cancer_Society. Note:
Content may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Rees-Punia E, Patel AV, Nocera JR, Chantaprasopsuk S,
Demark-Wahnefried
W, Leach CR, Smith TG, Cella D, Gapstur SM. Self-Reported Physical
Activity, Sitting Time, and Mental and Physical Health Among
Older Cancer Survivors Compared to Adults Without a History of
Cancer, 2020. CANCER; DOI: 10.1002/cncr.33257.. Cancer, 2020 DOI:
10.1002/cncr.33257 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/10/201020081740.htm

--- up 8 weeks, 1 day, 6 hours, 50 minutes
* Origin: -=> Castle Rock BBS <=- Now Husky HPT Powered! (1337:3/111)