It seems contraintuitive. All The studies we knew to date on the impact of social networks on health, mental and physicalThey concluded that their consequences were not good. That is why at least the result of a study published today in Journal of the American Geriatrics Society is strange.
According to the authors, led by Ashraf Abugroun, from the University of California in San Francisco, 2,268 people 60 years or older were analyzed which completed the psychosocial and lifestyle questionnaires and provided blood samples in 2016 and these were the results.
A strong Association between participation in social activities and a low risk of 4 years mortality. A high social participation was associated with 42 % less risk of mortality than low participation.
Specific activities, such as charity works, interaction with grandchildren and participation in sports or social clubs, They were particularly significant predictors of a reduction in the risk of death.
In addition, the analysis indicated that The deceleration of biological aging and greater physical activity played a key role in the beneficial relationship between social participation and the reduction of mortality rates.
“Staying socially active is more than a lifestyle choice. It is closely related to healthier aging and longevity -Abugroun concludes. These results underline how participation in community life contributes to better health in older adults. ”