Film producer Boney Kapoor has lost 14 kg at the age of 68 and shared a picture of his transformation on social media. Kapoor said he plans to lose another 8 kg and has been inspired by his late wife, actress Sridevi. He shared a picture on Instagram and wrote, “Hair is getting thicker, I am looking better, have lost 14 kg, have to lose 8 more kg.” He looks fit and healthy in the picture.

So, if you are a bit older and your body is not in perfect shape, then Boney Kapoor can be the perfect inspiration for you to stop making excuses and start taking steps to stay healthy and fit.

Myths about weight loss in older people

There are many unhealthy misconceptions about weight loss – especially among the elderly population. According to experts, there is no magical way you can melt away excess body fat. However, you need to make small but possible changes in your lifestyle to lose weight.

After the age of 60, maintaining an ideal weight becomes a little more difficult – and this gives rise to some myths. Let’s dispel them.

You can’t lose weight in old age

According to experts, it is a common myth that elderly people above the age of 60 cannot lose weight because their metabolism is slow. However, studies show that malnutrition is common in the elderly population and statistics show that the risk of this condition is up to 50 per cent due to not eating proper, nutritious food.

Maintaining muscle mass is not possible as you age

Muscle mass plays an important role in your overall health and well-being by supporting mobility and balance and helping you perform everyday activities. However, it’s important to move because if you reduce mobility, you can easily lose muscle mass.

Older people cannot keep their bones strong

As you age, your bone density decreases, increasing your risk of osteoporosis and other types of arthritis. Calcium and vitamin D – found mostly in dairy products, leafy green vegetables and fortified foods – play a key role in strengthening your bones and joints.

Additionally, vitamin D is obtained from the sun, which many older people cannot get outside, so additional supplementation is needed.

Elderly people eat only simple food

It is a common belief that as we age, our taste buds fade and we just want bland food. However, experts say that older people appreciate and enjoy a variety of flavours in their food. Some people may experience a change in taste with certain foods and medicines and may need less salt due to heart conditions, but this does not mean you need to compromise on taste. There are many ways to enhance flavour without relying on excessive salt such as:

• Herb
• Spices
• Garlic
• Onion
• Lemon juice
• vinegar

These can improve the smell, taste and visual presentation, making the dining experience more enjoyable.

The elderly do not need three meals a day

Although eating three healthy meals regularly is important for energy and nutrition, it is believed that older people do not need to eat so many meals.

However, nutrition experts say that the most important thing is to ensure that people over 60 years of age get a balanced nutrition and meet their needs, whether it is through three meals, six meals, liquids, supplements or enteral feeding. Every person is different and only a personalized nutrition approach will provide nutrition according to his needs.

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