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DEPARTMENT
OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Fitness and Nutrition: The Prescription for Healthy
Aging Statement before
the United States Senate, Judith A. Salerno,
M.D., M.S. March 11, 2003
Thank you for inviting me to appear before you today to discuss fitness for people over 50, an issue of increasing interest to us all. I am Dr. Judith Salerno, Deputy Director of the National Institute on Aging (NIA), the lead federal agency for exercise and fitness research for older people. I am delighted to be here this morning to tell you about NIA's commitment to promoting exercise and a healthy lifestyle across the lifespan. One year ago, I took up running and ran my first race--a half-marathon--to honor the memory of my father who died of a stroke due to high blood pressure. I also ran the race to celebrate my 50th birthday. I had the good fortune to find a coach, running partner, and role model, Dixon Hemphill, who at age 77 is fit and active. I felt elated when I crossed that finish line with my family and my coach cheering on the sidelines. Exercise and lifestyle changes are long-distance goals everyone over 50 can achieve in some measure. It's a matter of making the commitment to start a regular exercise program and reaping the many benefits. Exercise helps maintain healthy bones and joints. It also helps control weight, and improves our mood and sense of well-being. And, it can strengthen all our muscles, including the really important one--our heart. NIH research continues to demonstrate the phenomenal benefits of exercise across the lifespan. For example:
Several years ago, NIA launched a national exercise campaign for people over 50 years of age because about 28% to 34% of adults ages 65 to 74 and 35% of adults 75 years and older are inactive. Inactivity can lead to frailty, poor health and dependence, universally feared by older people. Through regular exercise, older adults can stay healthy and maintain independence. Our national exercise campaign addresses the four necessary types of exercise in a book called "Exercise: A Guide from the National Institute on Aging," and in an companion video based on the book:
The NIA's Exercise Guide is very popular with people 50 and older who want to know how to begin a safe, effective exercise program to maintain their health. All the recommended exercises were developed and chosen based on evidence from research studies. To date, the NIA has distributed almost half a million copies of the free Exercise Guide, which is available in both English and Spanish. NIA is beginning an outreach effort to encourage exercise among older African Americans as well. The exercise guide is available on the NIA website at www.nia.nih.gov/exercisebook/ or by calling 1-800-222-2225. As part of our outreach efforts, the NIA also has created English and Spanish public service announcements for television and radio audiences. You will hear many words of wisdom about exercise and a healthy lifestyle today. Exercise--and good genes--may ultimately be the wellspring of healthy older age. Evidence shows that even the oldest and frailest among us can improve health and independence by starting an exercise program that suits their physical limits. The message which we want to convey to older Americans is that you're never too old - it's never too late - to make exercise a part of your life. The National Institute on Aging is working to support that goal. That concludes my testimony. At this time, I would be happy to answer any questions. |
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