Shopping ‘may improve health’

[minisoji]

Shopping prolongs life, at least for the over 65s in Taiwan, according to research.Even after adjusting for factors like physical and mental infirmity, men and women who shopped daily lived longer than those who shunned retail therapy, say scientists.Shopping may provide companionship, exercise and an opportunity to maintain a healthy diet, they report in the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health.

A leading UK expert said the findings “made sense” since shopping involves physical activity, social interaction and keeping mentally active.In the study, published online in the academic journal, researchers led by Dr Yu-Hung Chang of the Institute of Population Health Sciences, Taiwan, studied nearly 2,000 men and women aged 65 and over who lived in their own homes.

They found those who shopped regularly lived longer than those who shopped just once a week or less, even after adjusting for factors such as physical limitations and cognitive decline.

Taiwanese researchers studied 1,850 people aged 65 plus All were living independently at home During a survey in 1999-2000 they were asked how often they went shopping The team tracked how long they lived by linking individuals to national death registries between 1999 and 2008 Those who shopped daily were 27% less likely to die than those who shopped infrequently, with the biggest effect seen in men They acknowledge that shopping could be a marker for those in good health to begin with, but suggest shopping itself may improve health.

“Shopping is often for pleasure with the potential to increase psychological wellbeing,” they conclude.”Compared to other types of leisure-time physical activity, like formal exercise, which usually requires motivation and sometimes professional instruction, shopping activity is easier to undertake and maintain.”

David Oliver, visiting professor of medicine for older people at City University, London, said the findings “made sense”.”Shopping is going to involve physical activity, social interaction with other shoppers and because it’s quite a complex task it’s going to keep you mentally active.

Keywords: Health care, shopping, improve health, psychological wellbeing, shopping activity

[brianthegreat]

Sure why not? It's relaxing, and you have to walk all around the stores looking for stuff. Plus you have to think hard about what you should and shouldn't buy, whether your deals are good or not, etc.

[BiancaByby]

shopping puts me in a bad mood. its just does. if i had to do it often, i might die earlier

[film]

shopping always change my mood...
good article..

[John222]

Shopping is directly connected with our mood and our mood is directly connected with our health and fitness. Sadness and depression destroy our health quickly. Happiness and enjoyment that we gain from shopping can be really helpful for our mental as well as physical health.

[glennyphn]

shopping is a fun activity, somehow it can relieve our stress especially when we are walking and looking on the things we want to buy.
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