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Thus, contemporary ethnographic studies support that keeping Europeans
health at high levels, especially for those over the age of sixty,
is not only a social policy act governments should focus on
providing, but also a wise economic policy that will keep Europeans
able to continue being productive members of society and thus,
lowering the negative outcomes of an alarming EU reality.
One method to keep older people healthier is to focus on their
dietary habits and introducing new nutritional practices that can
increase life expectancy levels. According to researchers, one of
the choices an aging person has to keep being healthy and active is
to follow the Mediterranean diet.
In fact, the Mediterranean diet is associated with longer life
expectancy among the elderly, because it is characterized by a high
intake of vegetables, legumes, fruits, and cereals. Furthermore, one
of the basic nutritional elements shared across all Mediterranean
cultures is the high intake of fish and the low consumption levels
of saturated fats.
On the other hand, olive oil, which belongs to the unsaturated
fats category, helps the human organism function and provides all
the necessary ingredients for the aged part of the EU's population
to continue being healthy and thrive. Furthermore, the low intake of
dairy products and meat and the modest consumption of alcohol have
helped the elderly in countries like Spain and Greece to live longer
and healthier lives and maintain their productivity levels high
close to the end of their lives.
As current evidence suggests, such a diet is beneficial to the
health of all individuals regardless of their age group or residence
location. Scientists, after examining a variety of factors like
diet, lifestyle, medical history, physical activity levels, and
smoking have recognized the importance of the Mediterranean diet in
keeping the body fit and the mind working properly. In fact, a
higher dietary score was associated with a lower overall death rate
and evidence suggests that people who follow such a dietary plan are
expected to live longer and suffer less from illnesses.
What is alarming though is that the younger generation of Europe
that has began following the Western type of diet-larger portions,
fewer meals, less vegetable and fruit intake-have experienced
problems associated with weight gain and are now battling against
disfiguring their body types. Modern way of living, stress, less
available time to prepare a proper meal and other problems, have led
parents to neglect the nutrition of their children and has led them
to fight problems such that of youth obesity and low self-esteem.
Educating seniors should be a combined effort with educating youth
as both age groups are considered currently to be the future of the
"aging" European continent.
About The Author
Jonathon Hardcastle writes articles for http://inutritioncentral.com/
- In addition, Jonathon also writes articles for http://worldof-science.com/
and http://thenursingcenter.com/
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