Three is a crowd! Having more than two children can age parents by an additional 6.2 YEARS, study warns
- Scientists analyzed people aged 65 and over with at least two biological children
- The results suggest that people with more than two children age faster
- While the reason for the findings remains unclear, the researchers suspect that the stress and financial burden of having an extra child might accelerate aging
While many people dream of having a large family, a new study may put you off having more than two children.
Columbia University researchers have found that parents with three or more children can age their lives by a whopping 6.2 years.
The reason for the findings remains unclear, although the researchers suspect that the stress and financial burden of having extra children could speed up the aging process.
Columbia University researchers have found that parents with three or more children can age a whopping 6.2 years (stock image)
Why does having extra children increase aging?
While the reason for the findings remains unclear, researchers have several theories.
Having an extra child can result in high financial costs, reduce family income and increase the likelihood of falling below the poverty line.
This decline in living standards could contribute to cognitive decline, according to the team.
The stress of having extra children can also play a role, as there is less time to relax and invest in cognitively stimulating activities.
To date, little research has focused on whether fertility affects parental cognition.
“Understanding the factors that contribute to optimal cognition in late life is essential to ensure successful aging at the individual and societal level – particularly in Europe, where family size has shrunk and populations are aging rapidly,” said Dr. Vegard Skirbekk, an author of the Learn.
In the study, the team analyzed data from the Survey of Health, Aging and Retirement in Europe (SHARE).
This database contains survey results from thousands of people aged 65 and over with at least two biological children in 20 European countries and Israel.
Their analysis found that people with three or more children have poorer cognition later in life.
“The negative impact of having three or more children on cognitive function is not negligible and is equivalent to 6.2 years of aging,” said Dr. Eric Bonsang, economics professor at the University of Paris-Dauphine and author of the study.
According to the researchers, this was the case for both men and women.
While the reason for the findings remains unclear, researchers have several theories.
Having an extra child can result in high financial costs, reduce family income and increase the likelihood of falling below the poverty line.
This decline in living standards could contribute to cognitive decline, according to the team.
The stress of having extra children can also play a role, as there is less time to relax and invest in cognitively stimulating activities.
Having an extra child can result in high financial costs, reducing family income and increasing the likelihood of falling below the poverty line (stock image)
“For individuals, late-life cognitive health is essential to staying independent in old age and being socially active and productive,” said Dr. Bonsang.
“For society, ensuring the cognitive health of the elderly population is critical to extending working lives and reducing healthcare costs and care needs.”
The researchers say that reducing the proportion of Europeans with three or more children could have positive effects on the cognitive health of the older population.
‘Given the magnitude of the effect, future studies of late-life cognition should also examine fertility as a prognosticator, alongside more commonly researched predictors such as education, work experience, physical activity, and mental and physical health,’ Professor Skirbekk added.
“Additional studies should address the potential impact of childlessness or having a child on cognition in old age.
“We also need more information about the types of interactions, supports, and conflicts that occur between parents and children that can affect cognitive outcomes.”
Always look on the sunny side of life! Optimistic people live longer, a study claims
While staying optimistic can be difficult during these uncertain times, it could actually help you live longer, according to a new study.
Boston University researchers have found that optimistic people live longer and healthier lives than pessimists and say this is because they have less stressful events to contend with.
“Stress is known to have negative effects on our health,” said Dr. Lewina Lee, who led the study.
“By examining whether optimistic people cope differently with everyday stressors, our results add to the knowledge of how optimism can promote health in people as they age.”
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