where do old fat people go?

Dave198lbs
Dave198lbs Posts: 8,810 Member
in Motivation and Support
I have been volunteering at a senior home and there are about 200 really old people. They are in their 80's and 90's.

One of the things I do is help them eat. They eat fairly simple foods with nothing fried and very little if any sugar.

I noticed that not a single one of them is over weight. I asked one of the doctors if it was the diet the home has them on or what?

He said over weight people die before they get this old. Do you know any old fat people?

Replies

  • dlwyatt82
    dlwyatt82 Posts: 1,077 Member
    That's probably true, come to think of it. At some point, I imagine your heart can't handle all the extra work of pumping blood around the large body, your muscles and bones won't support the weight anymore, etc. You either get lighter, or die of a heart attack / stroke / whatever.
  • katkins3
    katkins3 Posts: 1,359 Member
    Maybe being fat contributes to folks not living to be in their 80's and 90's? (Heart disease, diabetes, etc. )
  • seekingstrengthX2
    seekingstrengthX2 Posts: 771
    Old people also tend to lose weight as they get older... and sicker. They lose all their muscle mass, their bodies don't absorb nutrients properly, etc.
  • Buddhasmiracle
    Buddhasmiracle Posts: 925 Member
    My Mom died before the end of last year, just a couple of weeks shy of her 98th birthday. She died in her home with her kitties and family at her side. She was active (walking, gardening) until about 5-6 months before she died. She was a petite slender woman all of her life. She grew up on a farm, and she and her siblings worked very very hard, even as children.

    Your nursing home observation is interesting. I would think that people well into their 80's -90's like my Mom, had a television free, less processed food, and even car free a fair portion of their young and part of their adult lives.

    Many nursing homes and day care for seniors have physical activites so they needn't deteriorate, including yoga and lifting light weights!

    Remember, we all age but we don't have to rot!
  • Dave198lbs
    Dave198lbs Posts: 8,810 Member
    It also makes me appreciate the ability to walk upright and not bent over. Posture is so important and doing stretching and core building work to maintain our posture. I am learning that it is true.....without our health, we have nothing. SOme of these folks are apparently very wealthy but their wealth can not buy them anything they need now.
  • delilah47
    delilah47 Posts: 1,658
    I suspect old fat people don't live to a ripe old age.
  • ChelseaM18
    ChelseaM18 Posts: 303
    Nah, I see loads of old overweight people. Probably more than I see old people without a HUGE gut. In Ireland I'd say the majority is overweight. And any of them I know all have some type of problem, which is sad :/
  • SkinnysOpposite
    SkinnysOpposite Posts: 1
    Well..my grandma is overweight. She's been ever since she had Parkinson's. She's nearly 70..So. They all dont die. I've seen plenty of overweight older people...maybe it's just your area?
  • _hi_hat3r_
    _hi_hat3r_ Posts: 423 Member
    The nursing home I work in has a Bariatric Unit. Some nursing homes are not equipped to care for patients up to a certain size and if they dont have the proper equipment they are not allowed by law to take them in.
  • sisterlilbunny
    sisterlilbunny Posts: 686 Member
    70 isn't really old though. At least not really old enough for the OFH. The males on my dad's side were obese into their late 80's/early 90's but that was back in the 80's so different times there. I'll have to ask my friend who works in a nursing home (farming community) if he sees this.
  • milthom
    milthom Posts: 6
    Yea, but if the skinny people live that long just to end up in some senior home where they have to be fed by someone else, I would rather have my doughnuts.
  • leslisa
    leslisa Posts: 1,350 Member
    Yes, I did and do (but I'm probably older than you). Those who are medium are generally happier and get around better. The uber skinny and heavy folks also generally have a poorer skin tone and color.
  • RachFace1000
    RachFace1000 Posts: 154 Member
    My grandpa on my moms side was old (like 70) when he decided to lose weight. Now he's almost 80 and lost 175 lbs, rides his bike 10 miles everyday and walks his dog one mile daily. Healthiest person I know. I think he might actually live forever :flowerforyou:

    My grandma on the other side of my family is extremely overweight and is only 60. Doctors aren't expecting her to live long.

    Another difference; my moms mom cooks HEALTHY food. completely supported my grandpa and changed her whole cooking routines. While my dads mom adds extra salt and butter to EVERYTHING and makes sweets ALL THE TIME.

    She's actually one of the factors that lead my younger sister into anorexia, she would tell me sobbing "I don't want to end up like dad and grandma!"
  • Dave198lbs
    Dave198lbs Posts: 8,810 Member
    Yea, but if the skinny people live that long just to end up in some senior home where they have to be fed by someone else, I would rather have my doughnuts.

    cold thing to say. Most of these folks are happy and are real people with interesting histories. they deserve respect and some dignity.
  • 8620eater
    8620eater Posts: 9
    :-)
  • graciepoo12002
    graciepoo12002 Posts: 1 Member
    My 91 year old mother is in a nursing home-her heart is great but mentally and physically she is very disabled. She has little interest in food which is common as people age and become disabled. Her only food interests now are mainly the the foods she avoided when younger-sweets and cheese and crackers. The weight of those that live in her nursing home varies-but over 13 are over 100 years old. From my observation, do what needs to be done to live a healthy and happy life--enjoy the journey. Once you become disabled, accept your loss and eat what you want.

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