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Why loneliness is more dangerous than obesity

PEOPLE who feel this way are twice as likely to die than those who are fat. We all feel it sometimes but an expert explains why is so dangerous.

Sky is the limit.
Sky is the limit.

BEING lonely can be twice as dangerous as being fat, according to researchers who found feelings of isolation can be devastating to people after middle age.

A study of 2000 people aged over 50 found that the loneliest test subjects were almost twice as likely to die during the six-year study than those who were surrounded by people.

The Guardianreports that, compared with the average person in the study, those who said they were lonely had a 14 per cent greater risk of dying. That figure is twice the risk associated with obesity among those surveyed.

A study of senior citizens in Britain in 2012 found that more than a fifth of older people felt lonely and isolated all the time, and the feeling was often worsened at the weekend or night time.

News_Image_File: Our notions of retirement are “mythical” says author John Cacioppo.

Previous studies have linked loneliness to a range of health problems, from high blood pressure and a weakened immune system to a greater risk of depression, heart attack and strokes.

“We have mythic notions of retirement. We think that retirement means leaving friends and family and buying a place down in Florida where it is warm and living happily ever after. But that’s probably not the best idea,” author of Loneliness, John Cacioppo says.

“We find people who continue to interact with co-workers after retirement and have friends close by are less lonely. Take time to enjoy yourself and share good times with family and friends. Non-lonely people enjoy themselves with other people.”

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Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/health/mental-health/why-loneliness-is-more-dangerous-than-obesity/news-story/c4919ccdafa53628c4f23c2b5e8ef24d