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The pursuit of youth and happiness

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Monday, January 28, 2008 | 09:22 PM ET

By Peter Hadzipetros

So you think getting off the couch and incorporating a little activity into your life will extend your youth and keep your inner geezer at bay?

Seems it might, according to a study published in the latest issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine.

The study — out of King's College London — found some of what you would expect: that exercisers have lower rates of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer, high blood pressure, obesity and osteoporosis. But it also suggests that being sedentary not only increases the risks of developing aging-related diseases and premature death, it may also hasten the aging process.

The researchers examined the length of telomeres in white blood cells (leukocytes). Telomeres are repeated sequences at the end of chromosomes. The researchers note that they shorten over time and may be a marker of biological age.

Sedentary people in the study had shorter leukocyte telomeres than did people who were more physically active.

You want to look old? Spend your spare time on the couch.

In an accompanying editorial, the Journal called for more research to determine conclusively whether there is a direct link between aging and physical activity.

If that's got you feeling down, you might be middle-aged. Another study has found that no matter where you go in the world, misery plagues middle-aged folks far more than the young and old, perhaps explaining why generations of the formerly care-free wake up one day and shriek when they look in a mirror and see either their father or mother looking back.

The study's authors — University of Warwick economist Andrew Oswald and Dartmouth College professor David Branchflower — says signs of mid-life depression do not depend on having young children in the house, divorce or by changes in jobs or income.

They found that most people begin to emerge from their low point in their 50s and that the ability to bounce back may come from something deep inside humans — perhaps an ability to learn to adapt to strengths and weaknesses.

Make it to 70, the authors write, and if you're still physically fit and healthy, you will be as "happy and mentally healthy as a 20-year-old."

And if you took the advice of the previous study and spurned the sedentary life in favour of a moderately active one, you might look more like someone who's fit, youngish and happy instead of someone who'd prefer to spend their time perched on a front porch rocking chair complaining full-time about the government.

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Comments (7)

Diane

Calgary

I do believe that activity is the key to youthful living. I always say "use it or lose it". It seems that when you are physically active, you also seem to be more aware of what you put into your mouth. The two certainly work together. Unless some debilitating disease such as arthritis sets in, at 64, I still do exactly the same things I did at 30, albeit a little more slowly. I only weigh 10 lbs more than I did at 30. Other than a sometimes stiff back, my flexibility is still better than most 20-year olds. Being able to do what one likes to do is key to feeling young, even if the mirror may say otherwise.

Posted March 1, 2008 05:27 PM

Matt

Montreal

The key to live longer is eating less, never smoke, never eat lot of sugar or Mcdonald's food (they cost the body a tremendous amount of energy to use and eliminate).

Eating a lot of vegetables and fruit will help. They may be small but provide the necessary elements to operate and high energy over time.

Posted February 29, 2008 12:06 PM

Jim Snyder

It's true that even moderate physical activity is good for you, even if it's only a walking program. The large muscles of the legs and even the torso muscles are flexed and contracted repetitively as we walk. Humans are designed to walk, and it's just what the Doctor ordered for weight loss and Increased stamina. It's just about as good as any fitness program, as long as you stay with it and set some time aside every day to take a walk. See how much better you feel, and how much healthier you'll become.

Posted February 22, 2008 01:58 AM

Deb Johnson

I've been blessed by having active people around me in my life. Two men who've recently passed away in their late 90's bring this exact thing you mention into focus. Both were very fit, spry men who x-country skiied, walked, gardening, and basically "kept" fit throughout their lives. Yes, as you mention, they looked like old 20 yr. olds. As I often mention to my husband, I just pray I'm as fit as them, and as my parents are, at their age (my parents are in their early 80's). Very fit, active, with little signs of aging, honestly.

Posted January 30, 2008 07:57 AM

Jim

Timmins

Thank you Mr Hadzipetros, Chiles, Dr. Fielding for validating the way I live. I just turned 49, and have lived by the idea that its not the years in your life, its the life in your years. I've always exercised religiously, and consider it an integral part of my life as much as good food, good wine, and good friends. Now I just have to find a nice merlot that comes in a plastic sports bottle. Gatorade should take notice!

Posted January 29, 2008 01:55 PM

Vince Chiles, LCSW

Any positive activity is a sure way to promote well-being. Getting into a positive outlook doesn't require much hard work either. All it requires is a little attention and focus on what you want and then a committment to take small steps to acheive it. For more simple steps to finding happiness and getting more active in life see my book Happiness in Five Minutes a Day at www.happinessinfive.com

Posted January 29, 2008 06:55 AM

Dr William Fielding

London

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The pursuit of youth and happiness

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Monday, January 28, 2008 | 09:22 PM ET

By Peter Hadzipetros

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