In the early days, people were considered to be metaphorically condemned to heal if they weren’t married. Nowadays, it has been shown that people who are married live much longer. Very recent studies do however suggest singles with strong social support can experience a lifespan tantamount to that of a married couple. This raises the debate whether marriage really is a valid argument for longevity valid.
Facts of Longevity association with Marriage
Over the recent 100 years, studies conducted on marriage have shown that married people (men and women) outlive those who live as singles. A current review of 53 studies suggested that mortality rate for married couples compared to singles were 18 percent less. Yet, another longitudinal study conducted in America over a period of eight years reported that mortality for widows was 39 percent higher than to married couples. Yet, the mortality rate of those who had never been married, in this second report for the American study suggested that mortality rate for these singles were 58 percent compared to those who were married. Facts show that being single increases the mortality risk. The average of 53 studies concluded it to be 18 percent and the American study 58 percent.
The studies also suggested that the effect on age was more visible for those women and men who married at a young age. In other words, married couples appear to live longer than men and women who are either singled or divorced.
Marriage and Lifestyle
Marriage appears to have significant impact on lifestyle, which has a mix composition of advantages and disadvantages. Couples who marry at young age do usually consume less alcohol during the early years of their marriage in contrast to their counterparts, those who are single. For men there is even reduction in pot smoking.
Nevertheless, some studies suggest that marriage do not have an impact on life expectancy, they rather attribute aspects such as smoking to aging. It can indeed be noted that smoking levels can be negatively or positively affected by the relationship endured.
It has also been shown that married women usually have some extra pounded added. Married men and women have around 5 pounds more added to their weight in comparison to singles. It has been deduced that this is due to the fact that married couples exercise 15 percent less than their counterparts (singles). They have more time for exercise and gym activities.
Overall Health Aspects
A dozen of studies conducted throughout the world to suggest that marriage is an ideal path towards the fountain of youth. Yet, longevity is still a very debatable subject and self-selection of the samples used for the study can account be a flaw in these researches. However, very recent studies prove that marriage has more health benefit for men in comparison to women.
Nevertheless, the emotional tearing asunder, divorce do very negatively inflict on women’s health. To mention an example, the risk of cardiovascular disease for divorced women of above 50 years is 60 percent higher in respect to married women.
The conclusion that can be drawn from various studies is that marriage is favourable for men’s health and divorce is dreadful for women’s health. However, it is not certain that marriage is beneficial for women’s health.
It is however, already known for sure that married women tend to live longer. It is certain that marriage influences longevity positively. However, it is also necessary to know whether exercise, diet, money or healthcare can augment this even higher.
Source: Psychology Today
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Source: “The Effects of Marriage on Health: A Synthesis of Recent Research Evidence.”
Anti Aging, Bioscience, Gerontology, Health And Aging, Lifestyle
Wed, Apr 14, 2010
Anti Aging, Bioscience, Gerontology, Health And Aging, Lifestyle