Chapter 7 Middle Adulthood PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT IN MIDDLE ADULTHOOD Module 7 1 Physical Development in Middle Adulthood 1 4 14 2009 Age Changes z What stays the same as we age z What changes with age 4 14 2009 2 4 14 2009 Changes with age Aging Layers of Aging 3 Socioeconomic Cognitive Spiritual Biological functions 4 4 14 2009 How is aging like or NOT like other social categories 4 14 2009 5 z What are the isms z Does ageism exist 4 14 2009 6 Physical Transitions in Middle Adulthood z Gradual psychological and emotional changes in body s capabilities Height Weight and Strength Benchmarks of Change z z Depends in part on self concept and lifestyle Signs of aging they see in the mirror signal not just a reduction in their physical attractiveness but also aging and mortality 7 4 14 2009 Height Reach their maximum height during their 20s and remain relatively close to that height until around age 55 Begin a settling process in which the bones attached to the spinal column become less dense Although the loss of height is very slow ultimately after age 55 women average a 2 inch decline and men a 1 inch decline Women are more prone to a decline in height because they are at greater risk of osteoporosis Osteoporosis a condition in which the bones become brittle fragile and thin is often brought about by a lack of calcium in diet Time when most people first become aware of gradual changes in body that mark aging process 8 4 14 2009 Height Weight and Strength Benchmarks of Change z Weight Osteoporosis Amount of body fat tends to grow in average person People who maintain exercise program tend to avoid obesity as do individuals living in cultures where the typical life is more active and less sedentary z Strength Strength gradually decreases particularly in the back and leg muscles By 60 people have lost on average about 10 percent of their maximum strength 9 4 14 2009 There was an old lady z Sights and Sounds of Middle Age Society applies a double standard to men and women in terms of appearance z Older women tend to be viewed in unflattering terms Aging men more frequently perceived as displaying a maturity that enhances status 4 14 2009 10 4 14 2009 11 Starting at age 40 visual acuity declines Changing eye s lenses in shape and elasticity results in loss of near vision called PRESBYOPIA Declining depth perception and night vision z 4 14 2009 GLAUCOMA 12 Do you hear what I hear z Reaction time Not so slowing Down PRESBYCUSIS About 12 percent of people between 45 and 65 suffer from presbycusis Men more prone to hearing loss Sound localization is diminished 13 4 14 2009 z Decreases slightly in middle adulthood z Improves or compensated for by being more careful and practicing the skill z Exercise can slow this loss 14 4 14 2009 Sexuality During Middle Age Use It or Lose It z Frequency of sexual intercourse decreases with age Sexual activities remain a vital part of most middle aged adults lives Adults have more freedom Women no longer need to practice birth control 15 4 14 2009 Sexual Intercourse z Female Climateric Men typically need more time to get an erection Volume of fluid in ejaculation declines Production of testosterone also declines z 16 4 14 2009 In women walls of the vagina become less elastic and thinner z Starting about age 45 transition from being able to bear children to being unable to do so z Lasting about 15 to 20 years z MENOPAUSE Vagina shrinks potentially making intercourse painful 4 14 2009 17 4 14 2009 18 From Research to Practice Menopause z Estrogen replacement therapy ERT The Dilemma of Hormone Therapy Estrogen and progesterone administered to alleviate menopausal symptoms z Women s expectations about menopause relate to their experience of menopause PRO z Variations by race and culture z z z z 19 4 14 2009 z How might the fact that the medical advice of experts on hormone therapy has changed frequently over the last decade affect women s decisions about what course of action to follow What are the most important factors a woman should take into account in deciding whether or not to embark on a course of hormone therapy z z Increases risk of breast cancer and blood clots higher risk for pulmonary embolism and heart disease 20 4 14 2009 z 21 Early research Menopause was linked directly to depression anxiety crying spells lack of concentration and irritability z Current research Normal part of aging that does not by itself produce psychological symptoms z 4 14 2009 CON The Psychological Consequences of Menopause What do you think z Changes ratio of good cholesterol to bad cholesterol Decreases thinning of bones Associated with reduced risks of stroke and colon cancer Cognitive advantages Enhances sex drive Effects influenced by personal and cultural expectations of menopause 4 14 2009 22 Male Climacteric z Male changes during middle age Period of physical and psychological change relating to male reproductive system that occurs during late middle age Enlargement of the prostate gland Problems with urination including difficulty starting to urinate and frequent need to urinate during night z 4 14 2009 HEALTH Men still produce sperm and can father children through middle age 23 4 14 2009 24 Health and Wellness z Did you know American College of Sports Medicine and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Vast majority of people in middle age z At least 30 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity daily Face no chronic health difficulties Fewer accidents and infections z Reduces risk of heart disease osteoporosis weight gain and hypertension z Provides psychological benefits of sense of control and wellbeing 4 14 2009 25 4 14 2009 26 27 4 14 2009 28 Chronic Diseases in Middle Adulthood z Arthritis typically begins after age 40 z Diabetes is most likely to occur in people between the ages of 50 and 60 z Hypertension high blood pressure is one of the most frequent chronic disorders found in middle age 4 14 2009 Table 7 1 continued Gender Differences z During middle age women experience more non life threatening illnesses than men but men experience more serious illnesses Women smoke less drink less alcohol have less dangerous jobs z 4 14 2009 29 4 14 2009 Medical research has typically studied diseases of men with all male samples the medical community is only now beginning to study women s health issues 30 What are the consequences of stress in middle adulthood Stress in Middle Adulthood z Stress continues to have a significant impact on health in middle
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