How old are you in your mind? This subjective perception influences daily activities, physical fitness and, beyond that, overall health more than you might think. While it has already been shown that feeling young psychologically was a guarantee of longevity by preserving cardiovascular health, new Franco-American work again abounds in this direction. Researchers from the University of Montpellier and Florida State University (USA) suggest that feeling older than your age increases the risk of hospitalization.
The survey was conducted between 1995 to 2013 with 10,000 participants aged 24 to 102. Their medical history and health problems (hypertension, diabetes, cancer, lung disease, heart disease, stroke, osteoporosis or arthritis) were taken into account. They were also asked how old they were in their head. They also completed a questionnaire designed to assess possible symptoms of depression.
Less active people
Verdict: Respondents who said they felt older than their age were between 10 and 25% more likely than others to be hospitalized within two to ten years. These people were on average more depressed and sedentary than those who felt young.
For the researchers, this study proves that “subjective age” could be an element to consider in determining the risks of future hospitalization.
The study appeared in the journal Health Psychology.
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