A new study by researchers at UCLA finds that baby boomers are not entering their 60s as healthy as the generation before them. in fact they are as much as 70% more likely to have trouble with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) such as walking from room to room and doing basic household chores. African-Americans and Hispanic-Americans had higher rates of disability. The lead researcher is very blunt about what she considers to be the primary contributing factor to this unhealthy trend:

“The newer cohorts of people in their 60s have many more people who are overweight and obese,” said UCLA’s Teresa Seeman, lead author of the study. “Those people are at much higher risk for disability.”

No matter what the “fit but fat” crowd claims, study after study continues to show that obesity is a risk factor for a variety of debilitating ailments. Obesity is having a negative impact on the ability of the baby boom to enjoy their coming golden years. Weight control is a key part of any long term strategy to Age Against the Machine.