Combined with getting in your car and driving absolutely everywhere (most Americans)?

This is what people also don't realize. When these sorts of people get old they become immobile as they lose what precious little of actual muscle mass they had and unsupported joints start failing left and right. Sure your life expectancy might only be 2-3 years shy. What about your health span? That's what most people are actually interested in extending when they talk about living longer.

Yeah, this is why I lift everyday and I plan too until I can no longer do it. Lifting is also good for mobility if done correctly. Especially deep squats.

Hunched over old people do not have the muscle mass to help keep them upright, I guess amongst other things.

Lifting does very little for mobility.

> Lifting does very little for mobility.

Weightlifting can improve mobility by:

- strengthening muscles around joints allowing for more controlled movement.

- increasing flexibility: Dynamic movements in weightlifting, like squats, lunges, and overhead presses, can stretch and strengthen muscles simultaneously, improving flexibility over time.

- improving joint health because loading the joints with resistance can increase the production of synovial fluid, which helps lubricate joints and promote better movement.

- promoting balance and coordination because exercises often challenge stability and coordination, which can help improve motor control and range of motion in everyday movements.

My neurosurgeon and my rehabilitation program would both disagree with you.

Lifting is universally recommended to keep you healthy as you age, that and 30 min of moderate to intense cardio per day.

Why do people on HN think the US is special about (quantity of) driving? All wealthy non-microstate nations are driving nations. And, they drive a lot. That includes Australia.

Bicycle are pretty common in Europe, infrastructures are designed around it and pedestrian since the middle 90's.

Most people still have a car but you wouldn't think about taking the car to go buy bread for instance.

Having lived in Europe, Australia, worked in US and Japan, I guess I have pretty unique experience with this.

Americans walk the least out of all, followed by Australians. When I visit the the US for work. People sometimes stop and asked me if I'm ok because I'm carrying my groceries home from the store. People would say: "What are you doing? do you need help?" lol

Virtually nowhere is designed for walking outside of say New York, parts of San Fran etc.

> ...studies estimate that moderate obesity takes about 2-3 years of life expectancy

This is really hard to believe. Moderate obesity has to shave at least 10 years off life expectancy.

A 70 year old man 6' tall with a BMI of ~35 weighs 260 lbs. That is pretty overweight.

Anecdotally, I just don't see many people that overweight or heavier making it into their 80s.

On the contrary. Conditional on living to your 60s, being moderately overweight is positively correlated with lifespan, not negatively.

When you're old, setbacks that cause you to lose your appetite are much more common and much bigger threats to the health of skinny people.

I don't know where you live, but I've met tons of moderately fat people in their 70s and 80s.