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Adult Aging and Development

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Adult Aging and Development

1.) One specific example of aging would be physical changes during adulthood such as outward appearance. Weight and body composition changes as a pattern over adulthood. It first starts to rise in our 30s and 40s and then levels out in the 50s and 60s but then it declines by the time you hit your 70s. The MIDUS (Midlife in the United States) graph shows the weight curve for men and women in figure 2.1 of our book on page 37. One specific research example that demonstrates this would be that weight and body composition can affect the person to not be able to exercise as needed which can cause the body to breakdown in muscle form and tissue. This can cause excessive weight gain which leads to other medically related problems. Over two thirds of the adults in the United Sates are overweight in their BMI range as per the BMI (Body Mass Index Table) on page 39. This affects the social or physiological aspect of adulthood by causing depression, less exercising, unhealthy eating and greater health risks such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, knee replacement surgery, cancer, fatigue and other health risks. An example would be the study that was done by the health and retirement survey of almost 8000 adults between ages 51 and 61years of age over a time of 4 years in which the results showed the effects of BMI on health related quality of life for aging adults. 2.) Functional Age means that the individual is physical able to perform desired tasks and activities with ease and grace. Functional age is assessed by assessing activities that the individual engages in which includes all of the components of physical, psychological and socio-economical areas of one’s life. Their living environment, their extended family, and their community would be included in this evaluation. This would also include hearing, mobility, nutrition,

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