The world is facing a longevity revolution, with most countries having an ever-growing aged population, with important socioeconomic and health implications. The absolute majority has a chronic health condition in old age that admits control, without a cure, which often leads to disability. The modern concept of successful aging is associated with being able to live an independent and autonomous life, not necessarily free of any disease. Public health in this paradigm should look at interventions that prevent functional loss both in physical and mental terms thus promoting quality of life. Health promotion appears to be the main strategy to preserve functional capacity, with policies to increase physical activity, stimulate cognition, change harmful eating habits, and promote social interaction, and the rational use of drugs to control polypharmacy. Research should seek individual determinants of functional loss in genetic, immunological, metabolic, clinical, psychological and social terms.
The goal of this Research Topic is to bring together evidence regarding risk factors for functional capacity loss among the aged and existing intervention studies aimed at evaluating effective interventions to preserve or improve functional capacity elders on a population basis.
Scope and information for Authors
The scope of this research topic covers the search for risk or preventative factors for loss of functionality in old age. These manuscripts can address, but are not limited to, reviews, descriptive, and intervention studies on the following topics:
• Impact of physical inactivity/activity
• Presence of comorbidities
• Metabolic syndrome/endocrinal problems
• Impact of poor nutrition/improved nutrition
• Mild cognitive impairment/ dementia
• How social isolation, poverty or education can impact functionality with age
The world is facing a longevity revolution, with most countries having an ever-growing aged population, with important socioeconomic and health implications. The absolute majority has a chronic health condition in old age that admits control, without a cure, which often leads to disability. The modern concept of successful aging is associated with being able to live an independent and autonomous life, not necessarily free of any disease. Public health in this paradigm should look at interventions that prevent functional loss both in physical and mental terms thus promoting quality of life. Health promotion appears to be the main strategy to preserve functional capacity, with policies to increase physical activity, stimulate cognition, change harmful eating habits, and promote social interaction, and the rational use of drugs to control polypharmacy. Research should seek individual determinants of functional loss in genetic, immunological, metabolic, clinical, psychological and social terms.
The goal of this Research Topic is to bring together evidence regarding risk factors for functional capacity loss among the aged and existing intervention studies aimed at evaluating effective interventions to preserve or improve functional capacity elders on a population basis.
Scope and information for Authors
The scope of this research topic covers the search for risk or preventative factors for loss of functionality in old age. These manuscripts can address, but are not limited to, reviews, descriptive, and intervention studies on the following topics:
• Impact of physical inactivity/activity
• Presence of comorbidities
• Metabolic syndrome/endocrinal problems
• Impact of poor nutrition/improved nutrition
• Mild cognitive impairment/ dementia
• How social isolation, poverty or education can impact functionality with age