Fit Facts

• 39% of adults in Canada aged 65 years and older are overweight; an additional 13% are considered obese.¹
• In Canada, approximately one in four women and one in eight men over 50 years of age have osteoporosis.²
• Osteoporosis can lead to painful fractures, disability, and deformity.^{2, 3}
• One of the risk factors for osteoporosis is low amounts of physical activity.²
• 70% of fall-induced injuries in older adults are bone fractures. These injuries are the most costly to the healthcare system.³

Activity Facts:

• The most popular physical activities among Canadian adults aged 20 years and older are walking for exercise, gardening and yard work, home exercise, swimming, and bicycling.⁴
• Physical activity decreases with age.^{4, 5, 6}
• By age 75, approximately one in three men and one in two women engage in no physical activity.⁷
• In 1999, approximately $2.1 billion of the total direct costs to Canada�s healthcare system were attributable to physical inactivity.⁸
• A 10% reduction in the prevalence of physical inactivity among the Canadian population might reduce direct healthcare expenditures by $150 million per year.⁸
• Older adults can benefit from regular physical activity and the activities don�t have to be strenuous for the accruement of health benefits.⁹
• Previously sedentary older adults who begin physical activity programs should start with short intervals of moderate physical activity (5-10 minutes) and gradually build up to the desired amount.¹⁰
• Older adults should consult with a physician before beginning a new physical activity program.¹⁰
• Social support from family and friends has been consistently and positively related to regular participation in physical activity.^{1, 11}

Benefits of Activity:

• Reduces the risk of dying from coronary heart disease and of developing high blood pressure, colon cancer, and diabetes.^{12, 13}
• Associated with lower resting blood pressure and can help reduce blood pressure in some people with hypertension.¹³
• Moderate and vigorous levels of activity are associated with a reduced risk of suffering from a stroke.^{14, 15}
• Associated with glucose stability and might contribute to the prevention of glucose intolerance.^{13, 16}
• Can improve cardio-respiratory endurance, muscular strength, and body fat.¹⁷
• Helps maintain healthy bones, muscles, and joints.¹⁸
• Helps maintain the ability to live independently and reduces the risk of falling and fracturing bones.^{19, 20, 21}
• Has been seen to help reduce the risk of decline in cognitive functioning.²²
• Positively associated with visual attention skills in older adults.²³
• Reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression and fosters improvements in mood and feelings of well-being.²⁴
• Has been seen to help in reductions of pain associated with aging and chronic disabilities.²⁵
• In addition to cardio-respiratory endurance (aerobic) activity, older adults can also benefit from muscle-strengthening activities. Stronger muscles help reduce the risk of falling and improve the ability to perform routine tasks of daily life.²⁶
• There is a strong, positive association between total lean body weight and bone mineral density in older adults, particularly among males.²⁷