In recent years, there has been an increasing emphasis on nutrition and exercise for middle-aged and aging families due to several significant factors

QUESTION

Reply to this post giving an account of  why is there increasing emphasis on nutrition and exercise for middle aged and aging families? Why is it more significant than 30 years ago?

Fueled by the skyrocketing costs of healthcare in the United States within the past few decades, an emphasis has been placed on creating a healthcare system that provides quality healthcare that is not a burden on our society’s resources. An example of this emphasis is the enaction of the Affordable Care Act that has the goal of creating affordable healthcare for everyone while increasing quality (Wasserman et al., 2019). The Institute for Healthcare Improvement (2023) created the Triple Aim Initiative to address the deficiencies in the United States healthcare system as well by presenting an approach and design concept that will enable organizations to produce healthier communities and populations. Putting a spotlight on these deficiencies has increased the significance of emphasizing interventions proven to improve the health of the population. Compared to 30 years ago, the public did not have as much of a need for evidence in order to accept an intervention as valid. With the growing body of valid evidence for certain interventions in the past few decades, the increased skepticism of today can be convinced of the benefits and reliability of current health interventions.

A problem festering for the past 30 years is the increase in body weight and obesity. Healthy People 2030 (n.d.) has found that 2 in 5 Americans are obese. According to Healthy People 2030 (n.d.), obesity is linked to serious health problems such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some cancers. These health problems have always been serious, however, since there is an increase in obesity, these health problems are increasing as well. This increase in health problems is making the population not as healthy as it could be. To combat this trend, the causes must be found. Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health (2023) has found that the increasingly unhealthy diet and decreased activity level of the population in the past few decades has been contributing to weight gain of the population. Numerous factors are involved, such as the affordability of nutritious food. Unhealthy foods that lead to weight gain tend to be cheaper, while nutritious foods can be much more expensive. Increased technology, such as digital entertainment, has created a more sedentary lifestyle that contributes to weight gain as well as a decrease in health status. The connectivity of the internet has allowed for the increased bombardment of advertisements that influence diet choices. The recognition of these elements in society has given healthcare professionals an idea for a solution that improves the health status of this population. The increase of the emphasis on changes to nutrition and activity of middle aged and aging families is propelled by evidence that implementing these changes will provide better weight control and reduce the risk of serious health problems. This complements Bickley’s (2017) rationale that focusing on health promotion is more effective because treating disease at an early stage is more successful than at a later stage. Preventing a problem is much more efficient than treating the problem for middle aged and aging families.

ANSWER

In recent years, there has been an increasing emphasis on nutrition and exercise for middle-aged and aging families due to several significant factors. One of the primary drivers of this emphasis is the escalating costs of healthcare in the United States. With healthcare becoming more expensive, there is a growing awareness of the need to focus on preventive measures to reduce the burden of chronic diseases and healthcare expenses (Wasserman et al., 2019). The Affordable Care Act and initiatives like the Triple Aim Initiative aim to improve the quality of healthcare while making it more affordable and accessible to all.

Compared to 30 years ago, there is a greater demand for evidence-based interventions in healthcare. The availability of vast amounts of research and data on the effectiveness of nutrition and exercise in improving health outcomes has led to increased skepticism among the public. However, it has also provided healthcare professionals with compelling evidence to support the adoption of lifestyle changes for better health.

Obesity has become a significant public health concern in the past three decades, with nearly 2 in 5 Americans being obese (Healthy People 2030, n.d.). Obesity is associated with various serious health problems, including diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers, leading to increased healthcare costs and decreased overall health status. The modern sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy diet choices have been identified as major contributors to the rise in obesity (Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, 2023). The affordability of unhealthy foods and the prevalence of digital entertainment have contributed to reduced physical activity and poor dietary habits.

Recognizing these factors, healthcare professionals have shifted their focus towards promoting healthy lifestyle changes in middle-aged and aging families. By emphasizing the importance of proper nutrition and regular exercise, healthcare providers aim to improve weight control and reduce the risk of chronic diseases. This preventive approach aligns with Bickley’s (2017) assertion that health promotion is more effective than treating diseases at later stages.

In conclusion, the increasing emphasis on nutrition and exercise for middle-aged and aging families is driven by the need to improve healthcare quality, contain costs, and address the rising obesity epidemic. Evidence-based interventions have become essential in convincing the public of the benefits and reliability of such lifestyle changes. By promoting healthier choices, healthcare professionals seek to prevent chronic diseases and enhance the overall health status of the population, thereby fostering a more efficient and effective healthcare system.