Americans Gaining Weight and Lazier Compared

It might not surprise you that Americans are adding pounds and are less active than their counterparts worldwide. The world is attempting to get past COVID-19, but health remains top of mind for most people in a recent survey.

The survey shows that eight in ten Americans believe their health is a "work in progress" and are attempting to improve their lifestyles. 

According to the research, eighty-two percent of people worldwide feel the same way (compared to 84% of Americans), and 89 percent of all respondents are currently taking steps to improve their health - America struggling to keep up with other countries in exercise, general health during pandemic - Study Finds.

Are You Energetic? 

People worldwide indicate they have more energy and stay more active, helping them lose weight and enjoy better overall health. Unfortunately, Americans aren't doing as well. Only a third (32%) say they're now able to exercise longer without feeling winded, while only 29 percent have gone down a size or a belt notch throughout the pandemic.

"Be it exercising, healthy cooking or including more vitamins and supplements to your routine, for many, the pandemic has provided an opportunity to improve health habits overall," says Dr. Kent Bradley, Chief Health and Nutrition Officer, Herbalife Nutrition, in a statement. 

Activity and Nutrition Benefit Aging Process

Activity and nutrition are critical to successful aging. Harvard Medical School reports that the best way to protect your body's metabolism from the effects of aging is exercise. 

Endurance exercise reduces body fat, sensitizes the body's tissues to insulin, and lowers blood sugar levels. Exercise boosts the HDL ("good") cholesterol and lowers levels of LDL ("bad") cholesterol and triglycerides. 

Harvard also notes that activity level can fight some of the neurological and psychological changes associated with aging. Endurance exercise will boost your mood and improve sleep and will counter anxiety and depression.

Disuse an Aging Problem

Some of the changes that physiologists attribute to aging are often from disuse. While we all face declining health and deteriorating bodies, we can delay or better manage our aging by keeping active and eating well. 

We can't stop aging. We can't avoid declining health or memory. We can take positive steps to improve overall health and wellness, making us more independent as we get older.

Being proactive with your health will pay dividends in the years ahead. Still, preparing for the costs and burdens that will still, at some point, come with aging is a critical part of retirement planning. For many American families, affordable Long-Term Care Insurance will give you access to your choice of quality care services, including in-home care. 

However, be sure to start planning when you still enjoy relatively good health; otherwise, you may have few if any available options.