Never too late for healthy living

By April Clarkson, | Lifestyle | 0 Comments

Adults in the older age groups who exercised were more likely to survive and have a better quality of life than those who were less physically active.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University in the US studied 1,000 adults aged between 72 and 98 to assess the impact of lifestyle on health. Surprisingly, perhaps, this hasn’t really been studied in the so-called ‘old-old’ (aged more than 75). Most health promotion studies are done in younger people.

They asked participants about their lifestyle and illnesses for the next eight years. Gradually about two thirds of the group dropped out because of ill health or death. The researchers found that those who exercised the most survived longest and, despite any health problems, had the best quality of life. They also found more meaning in their lives. Smoking was found to have a negative impact - lessening survival and increasing disability. The study suggests its well worthwhile to keep as active as you can for as long as you can - and that it’s never too late to quit smoking.