Middle-Age Americans Less Mobile Than Ever

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As the baby boomer population grows and becomes increasingly sick and overweight, the market for disability and assistance-related products will explode. Here's one such product that will be all too common-place in the future...
http://www.oversizesolutions.com/Lift_Assist_Commode_p/1003.htm

Worried of NV 9:46AM April 08, 2010

Statistically, many more Americans are sedentary than take exercise to the limit. Stressed bones don't wear out but maintain their density better. Joints, on the other hand, can take a beating from over exercise but there are procedures that can be done to help keep fit people moving for their lifetimes. The unfit do not fare as well.

Cathy of DC 2:51PM April 07, 2010

"more than 40 percent of respondents 50 to 64 years old"
Are we seriously to believe that people today will live to be 100-128 years old? Come on... these are older Americans.

Mark of NH 11:39AM April 07, 2010

The Baby Boomers commute longer, sit longer at work (computers), and sit longer at home (Internet, cable/dish, TiVo) than any previous generation. This leads to the loss of physical capability. They also eat more food, a greater portion of it having higher calories than the generation before it: this leads to obesity and its attendant ill health.
Most of my friends are more decrepit in their 50's than my parents are in their 70's. The difference is that my parents walked more, did more physical work, ate less junk food and watched less TV than my friends did. And they never did get on the Internet.

Your_Personal_Penguin of MD 11:35AM April 07, 2010

I think all this is because we are the generation that took exercising to the limit. I know I have gone to the gym 7 days (high impact aerobics) a week for 30 years. I'm sure with all the exercise your bones just wear out later in life. Just a thought
Julia

Julia of CA 10:50AM April 07, 2010