Howdy!

You are correct! Lifestyle now effects our future health. What can you do to minimize the effects of OA later? OA is generally a wear and tear type of disease. Repetitive type activities impact our joints. If you work on a manufacturing line and do the same tasks over and over, the joints involved will over time begin to show the impact of that repetition. Athletes and yes even weekend type athletes are also at risk. Pick up game of basketball? Might show up in the hips later. Knitting, typing, and other tasks that involve the fingers can hasten the signs of OA in fingers. Also being overweight puts a lot of stress on knees, ankles, and hips. If you are overweight, start a sensible program to reduce now.

I have severe OA in many joints. I am 63. I now at times need help with opening jars, get pain rolling out dough, have knee pain when I climb many stairs. I can't rake for extended periods because of shoulder OA from my years of snow skiing. I think you get the picture.

Make sure your folks have bars installed for the bath tub and shower. Falls are the number one downfall for those that are aging. And our ability to balance is changed when our joints become painful or compromised because of OA. Make sure your folks are getting exercise though it doesn't have to be too strenuous - walking is good. There are lots of sites directed at how to deal with OA.

Welcome to Healing Well!

Normal exercise such as walking and swimming are best. Yoga sounds terrific. If soccer is like football, I would avoid it. Stay thin but not too thin as that causes easy stress factors. It is quite intelligent for you to be concerned with your lifestyle and possible future health problems.