Happiness link to female bone health

Thursday January 15th, 2015

Happy women have stronger bones than others when they reach old age, according to Finnish researchers.

Researchers found a direct link between "life satisfaction" and bone density.

The findings are the second this week from Finland to link happiness to health.

Another study found that children from happy homes grow up with healthier hearts than others.

The research involved some 1,147 women who had undergone bone density measurements in 1999.

Researchers at the University of East Finland found that bone density worsened by 85% more in women whose life satisfaction deteriorated compared with those who became happier.

The findings were reported in the journal Psychosomatic Medicine.

Researcher Päivi Rauma reports: "Promoting good life satisfaction and good spirits in the elderly is as important as promoting healthy lifestyle choices.

"Individual factors maintaining and improving life satisfaction also have beneficial effects on bone health."

Life Satisfaction and Bone Mineral Density Among Postmenopausal Women: Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Associations. Psychosom. Med. 2014 Nov-Dec;76(9):709-715. [abstract]

Tags: Elderly Health | Europe | Mental Health | Women's Health & Gynaecology

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