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. In home care providers share that fat is an energy and nutritional provider.

Your mother or father may complain about feeling cold as they age, and this may be due to the reduced fat in their body. In home care providers reminds us that fat warms the body. The metabolism slows down as seniors age, making it more 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. In home care aides 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.