Over the last few months, I have reviewed several research issues related to aging in general and specifically the relationship between exercise and healthy aging. So what have I learned that I think physicians should know?

First, in 1950, about 56% of men and 65% of women in the United States reached the age of 65, according to the Social Security Administration. Once people reached 65, on average men lived about 13 more years and women lived about 16 more years. According to World Bank statistics, in 2010, 84% of men and 89% of women reached the age of 65. Men who turned 65 in 2010 are projected to live 17 more years and women 19 more years. These numbers are likely to continue to increase, so aging is here to stay. The year 2000 marked the first time in history that there were more people on Earth over the age of 60 than under the age of 5, according to a United Nations report.

Originally posted on Today’s Geriatric Medicine, for more info see original link here: http://www.todaysgeriatricmedicine.com/archive/011613p34.shtml