Huge study shows seniors lead in healthy behaviour

Most of us, when we think of health in old age, imagine the aches and pains or arthritis, hearing or vision loss, and a general slowing down. But the recent results of a massive, ongoing American poll show that these perceptions couldn't be further from the truth.

The group behind the Gallup-Healthways Index began its work in 2008, tracking American attitudes, health, and behaviors, and has found that people over age 65 consistently have a higher degree of well-being than any other age group.

Mental well-being was also studied, and the researchers discovered that even when health begins to decline, the older group is also less sad and depressed than any other group. Healthways polls at least 1,000 American adults per day for insights needed to improve health, increase productivity, and lower health care costs, and these recent findings are based on more than 1 million surveys completed since 2008.

The 'wellness' factors the poll tracks include multiple behaviors from smiling and laughing to having access to learn new things, and — no surprise here — eating well and getting plenty of exercise. Shockingly,  older groups outscored all groups in healthy behaviors, including not smoking.

The oldest group far outscored the other three age groups in emotions, which was one of six categories measured. Out of a possible score of 100, the 65-and-older age group scored 83. Those 45-64 had the lowest score, at 76.

According to the research, middle-aged Americans suffer the lowest well-being due in part to higher obesity rates, higher levels of chronic disease — including depression — and more reports of smoking.

The challenge for the future will be to change behaviour in younger generations before its too late: by 2050, North America will have a population where one in five people will be 65 or older.