Marriage can boost the health of aging men, but not women, new research suggests Single women had twice the odds for 'optimal aging' as formerly married women did Social engagement and healthy lifestyles also helped folks over 60 age well THURSDAY, Aug. 22, 2024 (HealthDay News) -- A wedding band may be good medicine for men as they age, but not so much for women, new research shows. A three-year study of over 7,600 Canadians aged 60 and older found that men who got hitched were twice as likely to "age optimally," compared to guys who remained single.
Marriage offered no such aging benefit to women, however. In fact, single women were twice as likely to age optimally as a woman who'd been married but who lost her mate through death or divorce. It's thought that gaining a spouse helps men, especially, as women take an active role in monitoring their health.
“It may be that married people encourage each other to adopt or maintain positive health behaviors such as quitting smoking or exercising regularly," said study co-author David Burnes , a professor of social work at the University of Toronto. In the new study, all participants started in good health and data was collected on how "successfully" they were aging. According to a university news release, optimal aging was defined as "freedom from any serious physical, cognitive, mental or emotional conditions that prevent daily activities, as well as high levels of self-reported happiness, good physical health and mental healt.
