Among Youngest Older Americans, Disability on the Rise

In an analysis of data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination survey (NHANES), Teresa E. Seeman, from University of California – Los Angeles (UCLA; USA), and colleagues found that men and women entering their 60s appear to be more disabled today than in prior generations.  Mobility and independence in performing key daily activities declined for those ages 60 to 69 years, between the two most recent iterations of the National Health and Nutrition Examination survey (NHANES).  The team speculates that overweight and obesity may be primary contributing factors in the increase in disability between the two survey periods.  The researchers urge that: “Our results have significant and sobering implications: older Americans face increased disability, and society faces increased costs to meet the health care needs of these disabled Americans.”