Study links loneliness to fewer healthy years – with stronger effects in men
A study of more than 277,000 adults links loneliness and social isolation to fewer years free of chronic disease. A healthy lifestyle eased only the losses linked to isolation, the authors say.
Symbolic image · Photo: John Samuel / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped and resized)
People who feel lonely and are also socially isolated have markedly fewer years free of major chronic diseases, according to a study by Tulane University in the United States published in Nature Communications. Researchers analysed data on 277,489 adults aged 40 to 69 who at the outset had no diabetes, heart or lung disease, dementia, cancer, depression or anxiety.
Compared with people experiencing neither loneliness nor isolation, women with both had on average 2.4 fewer years free of physical disease and 3.7 fewer years free of mental disorders from age 50. For men, the losses were 1.7 and 5.8 years respectively. “Our research found men are more susceptible to being affected by loneliness,” said lead author Lu Qi of Tulane University.
The authors distinguish social isolation, an objective lack of contacts, from loneliness, a subjective dissatisfaction with the quality of relationships. Healthy diet, exercise, sufficient sleep and not smoking reduced the losses linked to isolation but did not significantly reduce those linked to loneliness. The study is observational and does not prove cause and effect; the team plans clinical trials.
This article is for information only and is not legal, tax, financial or medical advice. Figures as of the date stated.