Evening Lectures - Pensacola

Steve Anton

THE TALK: Lifestyle Interventions to Preserve Function During Aging

March 29, 2018

Abstract

Preserving mobility is central to maintaining a high quality of life and participation in activities to be fully independent in the community. Unfortunately, aging is associated with a progressive decline in mobility, as well as cognitive and physical function, leading to a loss of independence. While the causes of physical disability are diverse, a growing body of evidence strongly indicates that chronic low-grade systemic inflammation plays a significant role in contributing to sarcopenia and associated functional decline. This presentation will provide an overview of promising therapeutic approaches, including lifestyle interventions, hormonal replacement, natural compounds, and pharmaceutical agents, to avert levels of chronic systemic inflammation during aging and preserve cognitive and physical function in older adults.

Biography

Dr. Anton’s specific research interests are in the role that lifestyle factors have in influencing obesity, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic disease conditions. He completed his doctoral degree in Clinical and Health Psychology at the University of Florida (UF), receiving training in health promotion and the delivery of lifestyle interventions designed to modify eating and exercise behaviors. Following completion of his post-doctoral fellowship at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center in June 2007, he accepted a joint Assistant Professor position within the Department of Aging and Geriatric Research and Department of Clinical and Health Psychology at the University of Florida. Since joining the University of Florida, he has successfully obtained and conducted multiple grants examining the effects that lifestyle-based interventions have on biological and functional outcomes relevant to obesity, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic disease conditions related to aging. His research and teaching activities have been recognized at the University level. In 2009, Dr. Anton was selected an Outstanding Young Alumni by the College of Public Health and Health Professions. The in 2010, he was the recipient of the Thomas H. Maren Junior Investigator Award, which is awarded to one Assistant Professor in the College of Medicine each year. In November of 2011, Dr. Anton was selected to become the Interim Chief of the Clinical Research Division within the Department of Aging and Geriatric Research, and became the Vested Chief of the Clinical Research Division in March of 2013. During this same year, Dr. Anton was an Invited Member of the University of Florida’s Leadership Academy. In June of 2014, Dr. Anton was promoted to Associate Professor with Tenure. In 2015, Dr. Anton was recognized as a Master Mentor by the University of Florida’s Mentor Academy. Most recently, Dr. Anton was awarded a UF Term Professorship in 2017, a distinction given to top professors at the University of Florida.

lecture sponsors

Dr. Ed and Judy Galbavy: Carousel House

Joanne Bujnoski and Martin Kandes

Hugh Ed Turner

Garlan Sisco

season sponsors

Dr. Roger Orth with Gastroenterology Associates

B.J. and Kimberly Etscheid