Americans in their 60s are less healthy than generations that preceded them. That according to a study published by the American Journal of Public Health.

The authors compared two National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data sets, for 1988-1994 and for 1999-2004, to examine disabilities for adults age 60 to 69, 70 to 79, and 80 and older. All age groups reported significant declines in physical activity. But the youngest group had the greatest increase in reported disabilities.

The study also found that body mass index increased significantly from the earlier data as did the number of participants who met criteria for obesity. Although all age groups reported more obesity, the most striking increase was among people in their 60s, for whom prevalence of obesity rose from 27.4% in 1988-1994 to 37.6% for 1999-2004.

Arun S. Karlamangla, MD, PhD, one of the study’s authors, said it’s not too late for people in that age group to improve their lifestyles.

“If one can reverse obesity, then one can probably reverse the disability issues,” said Dr. Karlamangla, an associate professor of medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, Dept. of Medicine. “If we can [stop] this increasing level of obesity, we might be able to reduce the trend [of increasing disabilities at younger ages], flatten it or even reverse it,” Dr. Karlamangla said.

As I have been saying before, it is about our own self-responsibility and discipline. The only person that is going to take care of you is YOU!