Renters May Age Faster Than Homeowners, Study Finds
Renters May Be Prone to Aging Faster Compared to Homeowners, New Study Suggests
Study finds renters may age faster than homeowners.
By Amy Norton HealthDay Reporter
Renting a home, rather than owning it outright, may speed up the body’s aging process, according to a new study. Researchers have found that compared to those who owned their homes, people who rented exhibited signs of faster “biological aging,” which means that their body cells and tissues were a bit “older.”
On average, the impact was equivalent to just a small fraction of a year of aging. However, even this small difference was greater than the effects of being unemployed or being a former smoker. So, if you thought renting was a walk in the park, think again!
But here’s the interesting part: the link between renting and faster aging was specifically seen among people who rented privately, not those in public housing. Don’t you find that intriguing? Well, it turns out that in the United Kingdom, where the study took place, “social” housing is often better maintained, more affordable, and more stable than private rentals. So, it seems like living in a private rental with its typically poorer physical conditions is likely a factor in speeding up aging. I guess “home sweet home” doesn’t apply to all types of homes!
But it’s not just the physical conditions that affect aging. Private renters also face more housing insecurities, which can lead to stress. And as we all know, stress can age you faster than a wrinkle-ironing machine. Based on past research, it seems like the stress caused by housing insecurities could be one of the culprits behind this accelerated aging phenomenon. So, next time you’re choosing between a stable rental and a private one, think about the impact it might have on your DNA!
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Now, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of this study. Biological aging is determined by certain physiological markers that indicate the rate at which the body’s cells and tissues are aging. In this study, the marker used was DNA methylation, which refers to chemical changes to DNA that determine whether a gene is turned “on” or “off” at different times. Talk about genes playing hide and seek!
The study included 1,420 UK adults who have been part of a long-term study since the 1990s. These brave participants provided information about their housing circumstances, income, education, and health factors like smoking habits, body weight, and chronic medical conditions. They also gave blood samples for DNA methylation analysis. Now that’s some dedication!
The results showed that, on average, people living in private rentals showed somewhat faster biological aging compared to those who had paid off their mortgages. This difference persisted even after taking into account other household and health factors. However, there was no such difference between homeowners and people in public housing. Looks like your housing choices have long-term implications for your biological clock!
But wait, there’s more! The researchers also found signs of faster aging among people who reported falling behind on rent payments or living in dwellings that exposed them to pollution or other environmental contaminants. So, it’s not just the walls and roof that can make you age faster, but also the toxic fumes and moldy smell that might be lurking in your rented abode.
Giselle Routhier, co-director of the Health x Housing Lab, agrees with these findings. She says that housing circumstances can affect people’s health in both direct and indirect ways. Poor housing conditions can lead to health problems like asthma, while the stress of living in those conditions or struggling to pay rent can take a toll on overall health. It’s a lose-lose situation!
Now, we have to keep in mind that this study was conducted in the United Kingdom, and public housing there is different from the US. So, it’s not clear whether similar effects would be seen in American public housing. But regardless of the location, the central implication remains the same: less secure, lower-quality housing is associated with poorer health outcomes. It’s time for some policy intervention to ensure that everyone has a safe and secure home.
So remember, folks, your choice of housing can have a significant impact on your health and aging process. A stable and well-maintained home might just be the fountain of youth you’ve been searching for. And if laughter is the best medicine, as they say, then maybe it’s time to start laughing your way to a mortgage-free life!
Question for you, readers:
Laughter feels good because…
A. It burns calories
B. It releases endorphins
C. It confuses the neighbors
D. All of the above
Leave your answers in the comments below, and let’s see who cracks the code of laughter’s secret powers!