Nearly all (90 percent) respondents 65 and older said they felt 10 years younger.
The perceived youth and sense of vitality may be surprising to some, given that nearly 60 percent of respondents 65 and older are managing at least one chronic health condition. Among that group, four in ten must manage at least two other health conditions – 80 percent of those conditions are related to heart health.
One possible explanation for the newfound youth: the survey respondents are already taking steps to stay healthy and active and don't want to lose their youthful attitude.
In addition to the consumer survey, the research included a survey of 1,200 healthcare and nutrition practitioners and research about the links between nutrition and healthy aging. Findings include:
- Older adults aren't getting enough protein. Six in ten adults age 65 and up don't get the recommended daily allowance (RDA) for protein intake.
- Decreased protein and decreased activity lead to health problems. A lack of both protein intake and physical activity will reduce muscle mass, which can quickly lead to many of the diseases and conditions associated with aging.
- Older adults turn to the Internet and their practitioners for health information. Consumers ages 65 to 75 are twice as likely to use the Internet for information on health-specific nutrition products than consumers ages 19 to 45. One in four adults ages 55 to 75 buy products based only on recommendations by their healthcare practitioners; the only one in ten of younger set (ages 19 to 45) do the same.
- Spending on preventable chronic diseases accounts for 70 percent of healthcare expenditures for adults 65 and up. Almost 100 percent of those diseases can be managed through better nutrition and activity.
