{"id":4395,"date":"2025-09-29T20:21:16","date_gmt":"2025-09-29T20:21:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sawahsolutions.com\/aging\/news\/exercise-healthy-diet-can-restore-optimal-well-being\/"},"modified":"2025-09-29T20:21:16","modified_gmt":"2025-09-29T20:21:16","slug":"exercise-healthy-diet-can-restore-optimal-well-being","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sawahsolutions.com\/aging\/news\/exercise-healthy-diet-can-restore-optimal-well-being\/","title":{"rendered":"Exercise, healthy diet can restore ‘optimal well-being’"},"content":{"rendered":"

\n

  • The global population of older adults ages 60 and over is expected to jump from 12% in 2015 to 22% by 2050. <\/strong><\/li>\n
  • Past studies show there are several lifestyle factors that can have a negative impact on how healthy older adults may age. <\/strong><\/li>\n
  • A new study says that it may be possible for older adults to regain their optimal well-being by making healthy lifestyle choices, even at age 60 and older. <\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    People are living longer than ever \u2014 the World Health Organization (WHO)<\/hl-trusted-source> reports that in 2020, around the world there were more people aged 60 and older than children ages 5 and under.<\/p>\n

    And the global population of older adults ages 60 and over is expected to jump from 12% in 2015 to 22% by 2050. <\/p>\n

    A new study published in the journal PLOS One now reports that it may be possible for older adults to regain their optimal well-being<\/hl-trusted-source> by making healthy lifestyle choices, even at age 60 and older. <\/p>\n

    For this study, researchers analyzed health data from more than 8,000 older adults who participated in the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA). Study participants were aged 60 or older at recruitment, and did not meet the criteria for \u201coptimal well-being.\u201d <\/p>\n

    \u201cOptimal well-being combines a wide range of both objective and subjective aspects of aging well,\u201d Mabel Ho, PhD, a recent doctoral graduate at the University of Toronto\u2019s Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work (FIFSW) and the Institute of Life Course and Aging and the first author of this study, explained to Medical News Today<\/em>.<\/p>\n

    \n

    \u201cWe define optimal well-being as freedom from limitations in daily activities, the absence of severe mental illness, memory issues, or debilitating pain, and the presence of strong social support. It also includes high levels of physical and mental health, happiness, and life satisfaction, regardless of the number of chronic conditions one may have.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u2013 Mabel Ho, PhD<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

    At the study\u2019s conclusion, researchers discovered that study participants who followed specific healthy lifestyle factors \u2014 stayed physically active, did not smoke, slept well, and prevented chronic health conditions like diabetes or osteoporosis \u2014 increased their chances of regaining optimal well-being during the 3-year period. <\/p>\n

    \u201cThis study offers hope by showing that older adults can regain optimal well-being, even after difficult periods,\u201d Esme Fuller-Thomson, PhD, director of the Institute for Life Course & Aging and professor at the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work (FIFSW) at the University of Toronto, and senior author of this study, told MNT<\/em>.<\/p>\n

    \u201cThe findings emphasize that modifiable lifestyle factors such as staying active, maintaining a healthy weight, managing chronic conditions, and nurturing mental and social wellness are key to improving well-being,\u201d Fuller-Thomson added.<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \u201cThese factors are achievable and can be supported through programs like older-adult-friendly exercise classes, chronic disease self-management programs, and mental health support,\u201d she continued. \u201cThe research highlights the importance of policies and services that promote healthy aging, ultimately demonstrating that with the right support, older adults can thrive and contribute their strengths to society.\u201d <\/p>\n

    Scientists also found that study participants who had baseline psychological and emotional wellness were most likely to re-achieve optimal well-being. <\/p>\n

    \u201cIndividuals who were psychologically and emotionally well at the start of the study were nearly five times more likely to achieve optimal well-being after three years,\u201d Fuller-Thomson reported. \u201cThis highlights the importance of early interventions that support mental health.\u201d <\/p>\n

    MNT<\/em> had the opportunity to speak with Manisha Parulekar, MD, FACP, AGSF, CMD, director of the Division of Geriatrics at Hackensack University Medical Center and co-director of the Center for Memory Loss and Brain Health at Hackensack University Medical Center in New Jersey, about this study.<\/p>\n

    \u201cIt is well established that factors like physical activity, not smoking, and social connection contribute to well-being,\u201d Parulekar, who was not involved in this research, commented.<\/p>\n

    \u201cThe finding that nearly one-quarter of struggling older adults could regain optimal well-being after getting appropriate comprehensive support in 3 years is encouraging. It powerfully counters the common narrative of aging as an inevitable, one-way decline,\u201d she emphasized.<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \u201cWith a globally aging population, this research is critical for several reasons,\u201d Parulekar continued. \u201cThis study outlines the critical need of a combined approach of healthcare and public policy to help improve population health and reduce healthcare burden.\u201c<\/p>\n

    \u201cA healthier, thriving older population requires less intensive medical care, lowering costs for society. It can improve quality of life by providing a roadmap for individuals to live more fulfilling, resilient, and joyful later years, even after periods of difficulty. And it gives governments and organizations evidence to invest in effective programs that support financial stability, physical health, and social wellness for older adults,\u201d she told us.<\/p>\n

    MNT<\/em> also spoke with David Cutler, MD, a board-certified family medicine physician at Providence Saint John\u2019s Health Center in Santa Monica, CA, about this research. Cutler, who was not involved in the study, commented that there are at least three important lessons to learn from it.<\/p>\n

    \u201cMany factors which impact us when we are young can have [a] significant detrimental effect on our well-being as we age,\u201d Cutler said. Moreover, he noted, \u201cwhile educational, emotional, physical, and financial detriments can impair well-being as we age, they don\u2019t necessarily do so permanently. Developing resilience and engaging in lifestyle changes can overcome these hindrances.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201c[T]he pathway to improved well-being may not depend at all on supplements, spa treatments, or expensive interventions,\u201d he continued.<\/p>\n

    \u201cIt will always be difficult to convince people to give up immediate rewards for long-term benefit,\u201d Cutler added. \u201cThe delicious piece of cake today seems more attractive than a slimmer waistline in the future.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201dTaking a sleeping pill to knock you out is more appealing than weeks of training in cognitive behavioral therapy to improve sleep. And sitting on the couch to watch your favorite TV show sounds better than a strenuous exercise ritual. Finding answers to provide motivation, guidance, and reinforcement in these lifestyle changes will be the next step in research on maintaining well-being in the elderly,\u201d he advised.<\/p>\n

    Read the full article here<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4396,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[32],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-4395","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-news"},"yoast_head":"\nExercise, healthy diet can restore 'optimal well-being' - Aging Decoded<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/sawahsolutions.com\/aging\/news\/exercise-healthy-diet-can-restore-optimal-well-being\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Exercise, healthy diet can restore 'optimal well-being' - Aging Decoded\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/sawahsolutions.com\/aging\/news\/exercise-healthy-diet-can-restore-optimal-well-being\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Aging Decoded\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-09-29T20:21:16+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/sawahsolutions.com\/aging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/optimal-well-being-GettyImages-2155260772-Facebook.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1200\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"628\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"News Room\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"News Room\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sawahsolutions.com\/aging\/news\/exercise-healthy-diet-can-restore-optimal-well-being\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/sawahsolutions.com\/aging\/news\/exercise-healthy-diet-can-restore-optimal-well-being\/\",\"name\":\"Exercise, healthy diet can restore 'optimal well-being' - 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