Along with the growing number os elderly in the population, there is a significant increase in the incidence of several diseases, such as hypertension, osteoporosis and diabetes, which affect the quality of life and independence of the elderly. However, lifestyle changes, including healthy food and physical exercise, may be considered an important factor for the relationship between health and disease. Many studies have shown that lifestyle changes may decrease the incidence of many diseases; however the benefits of the physical exercises seem to be often ignored. Although many advertising campaigns show the benefit of physical exercise for a healthy lifestyle, the proportion of sedentary individuals is still high. Thus, changes in lifestyle and physical exercise should be encouraged for the elderly population, in order to reduce the incidence of disease and improving the relationship between health and disease and, as a consequence, the quality of life in this population.
Motor Activity; Aging; Quality of Life; Disease; Health of the Elderly; Physical Exercise