According to one study, there are five main factors correlated with healthy aging.
- In 2021, life expectancy was 85.4 years for women, and 79.3 years for men, in France.
- According to Public Health France, people over the age of 60 represent a quarter of the population and could represent a third in 2050.
English speakers use the term “successful aging“, in French, this corresponds to the notion of aging well, or spending the years without health problems. Researchers at the University of Toronto, in Canada, are interested in the factors contributing to healthy aging. For identify, they followed more than 7,000 Canadians for three years. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Healththey publish their findings.
Who are the individuals most likely to age in good health?
As a basis for comparison, the researchers selected the profiles of participants who were in good health at the start of the research: this means that they had no memory problems, debilitating chronic pain, serious mental illness, or physical disability. 70% of them maintained their good health throughout the study.
Weight and physical activity contribute to healthy aging
Among these different factors, some are already known. “Our results are in line with other studies that have shown obesity to be linked to different physical symptoms and cognitive problems.underlines the co-author of the research, David Burnes, and that physical activity also plays a key role in optimal ageing.” Their analysis shows that people who did not have a weight problem were 24% more likely to age optimally, compared to obese older people.
The study also reveals that the practice of physical activity contributes to the maintenance of good health throughout life. Seniors who engaged in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity were 35-45% more likely to age well, respectively. “These findings underscore the importance of maintaining an appropriate weight and engaging in an active lifestyle throughout life.”observes the co-author.
Tobacco, sleep: a healthy lifestyle contributes to aging well
But the results also show that a healthy lifestyle, in the overall sense, is also essential for aging well. Seniors who never smoked were 46% more likely to stay healthy than smokers. Their results confirm the benefits of quitting, even late: former smokers had just as good results as those who had never smoked.
A healthy lifestyle also requires good nights. “Good sleep is an important factor as we age, complete Esme Fuller-Thomson, co-author. Sleep problems undermine cognitive, mental and physical healthThe study shows that participants who never or rarely suffered from sleep problems were 29% more likely to maintain excellent health throughout the study.
A link between standard of living and healthy aging
Finally, Canadian scientists have observed a correlation between income and the chances of healthy aging. “About half of those living below the poverty line age optimally compared to three-quarters of those living above the poverty line“, they say. According to them, this could be linked to the stress caused by insufficient income but also to potential nutrition problems.
For the authors, these results will make it possible to work with the elderly, their families and health professionals to help them adopt a lifestyle more favorable to healthy aging. “Our findings underscore the importance of a strengths-based rather than a weaknesses-based approach to aging and older adults.”raises Mabel Ho, lead author of this research.
