Fitness Friday

Being Active When You're Younger Can Determine Height Loss After Menopause

Women who were active in their teens and early 20's experienced less loss of height later in life, a condition often associated with other health risks.

     There is no way around the importance of exercise, becoming active and staying that way has huge benefits no matter what age you begin. Of course, the sooner you start a regular workout program the better, often allowing people to experience benefits well into the late stages of life. Bone density is one of those important benefits and is specifically important for postmenopausal women who are at a particular risk for osteoporosis.

   A study out of the University of Buffalo has linked height loss in postmenopausal women, and exercise in their teens and early 20's. The study examined 1024 women with the average age of 66 measuring their height and comparing it to their height taken 5 years later. They found connections between height loss and other risk factors such as being overweight, older, and a higher use of corticosteroids noting that those who experienced more than a one-inch loss usually had one or more of the other factors. Those women who were more active when they were younger had better bone density, and those who were continually active had better balance and strength, reducing their risk of falls and fractures which may contribute to height loss. The scientists from this study suggest monitoring your height as you age in order to better assess your physical health.