A little extra weight may be good for your mother or father. We are all aware of the risk that comes with overeating and weight gain, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, kidney disease as well as cancer. However, according to the in home care experts, poor eating habits and malnutrition are just as dangerous as obesity.

As a reminder, a little extra weight is not obesity, and research shows that some fat may be good for the aging body. Fat can actually be an energy and nutritional provider.

Fat Keeps You Warm

Your mother or father may complain about feeling cold as they age, and this may be due to the reduced fat in their body. But fat warms the body. The metabolism slows down as seniors age, making it  difficult for mom or dad to generate their comfortable body temperature. Although they can dress in layers, turn the heat up, and prepare for the chill, a little extra body fat may help more. Home care providers recommend maintaining fat while keeping somewhat lean with exercise that will also increase your parent’s internal furnace.

Your parent’s BMI, or Body Mass Index, should be reviewed with their medical team before taking any steps to gain or lose weight. Increasing fat levels is not an opportunity to eat everything and anything; it’s an opportunity to enjoy the right foods and not worry as much about the numbers on the scale.

Contact Us

Seniors can greatly benefit from home care services. Everything from meal preparation to companionship during exercise, our caregivers can keep your loved one healthy at home with with professional senior care services.

Give us a call at 239-221-6326 to schedule a free consultation.