NEW DELHI: Looking to slow down the ageing process? The solution might extend beyond just physical exercise and a balanced diet; it could also involve immersing yourself in cultural activities such as theatre, museums, or even cinema.
A recent study conducted by Japanese researchers has uncovered that older individuals who frequently participate in cultural events often exhibit a lower physiological age—a measure that reflects how efficiently the body’s organs and systems are functioning—compared to their actual chronological age. This finding suggests that cultural engagement could serve as a valuable, yet often overlooked, resource for promoting healthy ageing.
Findings from the Study
The research team from the Institute of Science Tokyo delved into data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing, scrutinizing 4,207 observations from 1,899 adults aged 50 and above. It was revealed that participants who regularly visited cinemas, museums, art galleries, theatres, concerts, or operas displayed a lower physiological age. More strikingly, each one-point increase in cultural engagement score was correlated with a reduction of 0.085 years in physiological age, even after accounting for various factors such as income, health status, employment, smoking habits, and physical activity levels.
This correlation was upheld during a follow-up analysis conducted over four years. Physiological age, which takes into account ten different health markers including blood pressure, lung function, grip strength, walking speed, BMI, haemoglobin, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels, is regarded as a more accurate predictor of disease and mortality than chronological age.
The Role of Cultural Activities
The researchers suggest that engaging in cultural activities may foster healthy ageing by strengthening social connections, diminishing feelings of loneliness and stress, enhancing mental well-being, and promoting healthier lifestyle choices. This aligns well with insights from Indian experts who emphasize the significance of social engagement in the ageing process.
Dr. Prasun Chatterjee, Group Clinical Lead at the Department of Geriatric Medicine and Longevity Sciences, Apollo Hospitals, and former professor at AIIMS, asserted that the study underlines how healthy ageing is reliant not only on diet and exercise but also on active social and cultural participation. He pointed out that social interactions can enhance memory and mood by increasing serotonin and dopamine levels, thereby boosting emotional health and instilling a sense of purpose that leads to healthier lifestyles.
In the context of India, Dr. Chatterjee noted that engaging in activities like visiting parks, cinemas, theatres, or places of worship can yield comparable benefits by fostering happiness, social ties, and a sense of purpose.
Prof. Rajesh Sagar, a psychiatrist at AIIMS in New Delhi, echoed these sentiments, explaining that social and cultural engagement strengthens emotional support networks, improves cognitive function, and mitigates chronic stress.
Cautionary Notes
While the authors of the study highlighted a compelling association, they also cautioned against inferring direct causation, as healthier individuals may be more inclined to engage in cultural activities. Nonetheless, they advocated for enhancing accessibility to museums, theatres, concerts, and other community programs, asserting that such initiatives could significantly bolster overall health.
