They are known as man's best friend. Scientists have now shown that living with a dog will also turn back the aging clock, rejuvenating it by as much as 10 years. The study by Dr Feng Zhiqiang, of St Andrews University, published in the journal Preventive Medicine, looked at 547 elderly people from Tayside, Scotland, whose average age was 79 years.
He is about to end up run over, his mother saves him
They are known as man's best friend. Now scientists have proven that living with a dog will also turn back the aging clock, rejuvenating it by a full 10 years. Lo study by Dr. Feng Zhiqiang, of St Andrews University, published in the magazine Preventive Medicine, surveyed 547 seniors from Tayside, Scotland, whose average age was 79.
For a period of seven days they were asked to wear an accelerometer that measured their movements. They found that nine percent of elderly dog owners - around 50 people - all showed significantly lower levels of anxiety and depression.
After excluding the disabled and those seriously ill, the results suggest that the dog allows seniors to overcome many potential obstacles, such as lack of social support and personal safety concerns. The explanation of the beneficial effect could depend on whether walking with your pet pays off easier to meet people in the neighborhood and that it is an incentive to leave the house.
READ also: How dogs improve life: 10 reasons not to do without them anymore
Staying active in old age avoids a series of ailments, in particular related to muscles and bones, and also reaches the mental well-being. On average, dog owners had lower levels of depression. The link between pet and owners' health benefits is much stronger than you might imagine.
“Our results show that dog owners have an increased level of physical activity. On average, older dog owners were 12 percent more active than their dogless peers. If you have a dog at home, the level of physical activity is roughly equivalent to that of a person 10 years younger" explains researcher.
Roberta Ragni
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