The Columbine Health Systems Center for Healthy Aging is hosting a panel discussion at noon on Monday, April 26, to answer community questions about how middle-aged adults can live longer, healthier lives.

The panel is the second in a series of three “Aging Across the Life Span” webinars that started with advice for young people, aged 20-30 years old, and will finish with advice for older adults aged 65+ in the fall.

In October 2020, panelists on the “Aging in Your 20s and 30s” panel answered a variety questions from young adults about sleep and exercise habits, long-term effects of diet, loneliness and social connection, and the importance of a positive attitude in influencing healthy aging.

Tips for aging in midlife

The next installment of the series aims to tailor advice specifically to middle-aged adults, who have a unique set of experiences compared to people in other phases of life. Midlife tends to be a time when social roles are at an all-time high, and demands from work, family, parenting, and caregiving are often competing. And, while middle-aged adults are becoming more content in themselves and their relationships, they might be experiencing major transitions such as becoming newfound empty-nesters, caregivers for their own aging parents, or looking forward to an established career in their second half of life. The 40s and 50s is also a time when lifestyle practices are accumulating and can lead to the onset of chronic illnesses. Adults in midlife may develop new sensitivities to diet, stress, and sleep, and may notice changes in their physical fitness that affect muscle mass and function or aerobic performance.

Given these trends, the April 26 panel discussion intends to provide clear recommendations for healthy aging in middle-aged adults, though people of all ages can likely benefit from the advice to be shared.

CSU faculty members from the College of Health and Human Sciences will serve as panelists for the discussion, including:

• Allyson Brothers, an assistant professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies who researches the promotion of healthy aging across the lifespan
• Michelle Foster, an associate professor in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition who researches obesity and metabolic dysfunction
• Gloria Luong, an assistant professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies who researches social and emotional aspects of aging
• Rick Perry, a teaching faculty member in the Department of Health and Exercise Science who specializes in health and wellness behaviors

All questions surrounding diet, nutrition, fitness, mental health and general well-being are welcome. Questions can be submitted by emailing healthyaging@colostate.edu.

Attendees may register in advance for the “Aging in Your 40s and 50s” webinar at col.st/ob4pl.

The webinar will be recorded for later viewing on the Center for Healthy Aging’s YouTube playlist.

The Departments of Health and Exercise Science, Food Science and Human Nutrition, and Human Development and Family Studies are a part of CSU’s College of Health and Human Sciences.