Going to Museums and Movies May Slow Aging, Study Finds
- Japanese researchers from the Science Tokyo institute found higher levels of cultural engagement are associated with lower physiological aging in English adults, according to a study published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health.
- Researchers analyzed data from 1,899 individuals in the English Longitudinal Study, an ongoing population-based study following adults aged 50 or older in England. Experts devised a cultural engagement score ranging from zero to 15 based on cinema, museum, and theater attendance.
- Individuals with higher cultural engagement scores had a physiological age of 66.9 years, three years lower than those with lower scores. A one-point higher engagement score was significantly associated with 31 days lower physiological age after adjusting for confounding factors.
- Promoting engagement with culture could be a "promising strategy to slow the pace of physiological ageing and support healthy ageing in older adults," researchers said. The impact can be comparable to frequent exercise, with cultural engagement serving as a modifiable intervention for healthy longevity.
- Further studies are needed to evaluate whether promoting cultural engagement leads to improvements in health outcomes long-term. Researchers acknowledged the study is observational, so reverse causation could explain findings—healthier individuals may simply be more able to participate in cultural activities.
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16 Articles
How to live longer: Cultural outings may slow ageing as much as exercise, scientists say
A trip to the cinema or an afternoon wandering through a gallery may prove just as beneficial for longevity as a session at the gym, according to new research.Scientists examining biological ageing have found that regular cultural participation—including visits to museums, theatres and picture houses—"can be comparable" to frequent physical activity in its effects on the body.The findings, published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community H…
Middle-aged and older adults who watch movies and exhibitions have a physical age three years younger. According to a study by researchers at Tokyo University of Science in Japan that analyzed the cultural activities and health data of 1,899 adults aged 50 and older, middle-aged and older adults who visit movie theaters, museums, art galleries, and various performance venues at least once every few months are... compared to those who engage in c…
Going to museums, movies, and theater may help your body stay younger
Going to the cinema, visiting museums, or attending concerts may do more than entertain. Researchers found that older adults who regularly participated in cultural activities tended to have bodies that functioned like those of people about three years younger. They believe stronger social ties, better mental health, and healthier habits could help explain the link, although more research is needed to determine whether cultural activities directly slow aging.
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