Is it the key to better health?
Recent research has revealed significant differences in how marriage impacts aging for men and women. A study involving over 7,600 Canadians aged 60 and older found that married men were two times as likely to experience “optimal aging” compared to their single counterparts. Optimal aging was defined by being free from severe physical, cognitive, mental, or emotional conditions that disrupt daily life, along with high levels of happiness and good health. However, the benefits of marriage on aging did not extend to women in the same way. Single women were found to be two times as likely to age optimally compared to women who had been married but later became widowed or divorced.
The study suggests that the advantages of marriage for men may stem from the supportive health behaviors that spouses often encourage each other to adopt. David Burnes, a co-author of the study and professor at the University of Toronto, notes that married men benefit from mutual encouragement to lead healthier lifestyles, such as quitting smoking and engaging in regular exercise, which might contribute to their better aging outcomes.
In addition to the benefits of marriage, the research highlights the critical role of social connections in achieving optimal aging. Social isolation was identified as a significant risk factor for poor aging. Eleanor Pullenayegum, a professor at the Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, emphasized that maintaining regular contact with family, friends, and neighbors is essential for reducing loneliness and enhancing overall well-being in older adults.
The study also underscored the importance of adopting a healthy lifestyle to promote better aging. Key factors for optimal aging included avoiding obesity, participating in regular physical activity, getting adequate sleep, and refraining from smoking. Esme Fuller-Thomson, the study’s senior author and director of the Institute for Life Course & Aging, highlighted that integrating these healthy habits, even later in life, can lead to significant improvements in aging outcomes.
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