You exercise. You eat right. You’re in pretty good shape for someone your age.

Still, getting older can bring on health problems as our bodies change. Not everyone will get them. But some medical conditions become more common or more serious after we get a few decades under our belts.

Getting older can be a triple whammy. You lose muscle as you age. That makes it harder to keep the pounds from creeping up. You also become less active. At the same time, your body burns fewer calories for the same physical activities as when you were younger.

You probably know that being overweight or obese raises your chances for many conditions, like heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and stroke. But the extra pounds can pose an even bigger burden for older people. Everyday movements like walking and getting out of chairs get harder. Obesity and arthritis often go together.

So, whether your 50 or 80, ask your doctor about smart ways to fight weight gain. Every bit helps.

Dr. Gloria Ivey Crowe returns to Frankly Speaking to discuss these and other generational specific health issues for women as well as some potential social and cultural implications.

Tune in and learn stuff.