The body changes no one tells you about at 60 (2024)

FAQs

What happens to the human body at 60? ›

It's natural for your metabolism to slow around age 60.

At the same time, you might not be as hungry as you used to be, especially if you can't taste your food very well. Around 20% to 30% of older adults don't eat enough calories. Older stomachs also lose some of their stretchiness and empty slower.

The Good News: If you've been active all your life, your bones, joints and muscles can stay in pretty good shape during your 60s. The Not-So-Good News: Aging and inactivity can lead to achy joints because of the wearing down of cartilage, loss of lubricating joint fluid and weaker muscles.

Wrinkles, age spots, creases, and bruises become more noticeable. Your sweat glands also get less active. That means you might not sweat as much, but wounds on your skin may take longer to heal.

Your body shape changes naturally as you age. You cannot avoid some of these changes, but your lifestyle choices may slow or speed the process. The human body is made up of fat tissue, lean tissue (muscles and organs), bones, and water. After age 30, people tend to lose lean tissue.

Reaching this age is commonly a requirement to become eligible for senior social programs. Old age cannot be universally defined because it is context-sensitive. The United Nations, for example, considers old age to be 60 years or older.

For many, age 60 marks the beginning of a decade full of changes. Some may plan to retire, and others start up small businesses. Some settle in to help take care of their grandchildren, whereas others update their passports and take off on adventures around the world. And some decide to do it all!

Most internal functions also decline with aging. Most bodily functions peak shortly before age 30 and then begin a gradual but continuous decline.

One in five people in their 30s said their weight makes them feel older, compared to one in eight people in their 60s and beyond. People aged 60 and older said they feel physically older due to frailties that people in their 30s rarely suffer, such as arthritis (8%) or replacements to knees or hips (2%).

Researchers found that over time the definition of old has, well, gotten older. That is, an extensive survey found people in their mid 60s now define old age as starting around 75.

Declines in walking speed and aerobic endurance became evident in the 60s and 70s. More physical activity was associated with less physical decline, especially in ages 60 to 79.

What is a 60 year old called? ›

A person between 50 and 59 is called a quinquagenarian. A person between 60 and 69 is called a sexagenarian. A person between 70 and 79 is called a septuagenarian.

Well, this depends on a person's age, health, fitness level and lifestyle. Generally, the more years that pass, the more you'll value your beauty sleep, and its true senior fatigue is a real thing. However, most people start experiencing a decline in their energy levels by the time they reach their mid-thirties.

It is also a major factor in the dreaded “turkey neck” caused by sagging skin underneath the neck and vertical bands of muscles loosened by gravity and time. The biggest changes typically occur when people are in their 40s and 50s, but they can begin as early as the mid-30s and continue into old age.

With age, your skin thins and becomes less elastic and more fragile, and fatty tissue just below the skin decreases. You might notice that you bruise more easily. Decreased production of natural oils might make your skin drier. Wrinkles, age spots and small growths called skin tags are more common.

While a decrease in energy as you age is expected, if you find yourself fatigued for weeks on end, even after a good night's rest, it may be time to speak to a doctor to rule out illness. Continued fatigue could be a sign of something that requires treatment, such as rheumatoid arthritis or heart disease.

Recapping the stages of a human life cycle:

Adolescence (ages 13-20) Early adulthood (ages 21-35) Middle adulthood (ages 36-50) Late adulthood (ages 51-65)

The amount of muscle tissue (muscle mass) and muscle strength tend to decrease beginning around age 30 and continuing throughout life. Some of the decrease is caused by physical inactivity and decreasing levels of growth hormone and testosterone, which stimulate muscle development.

Path to improved well being. Diet and exercise are the two most important changes you can make. Even if you've never been active, it's never too late to get started. A healthy diet and physical activity are good at any age.