Women outlive men on average, but this longevity doesn't equate to better health in later years.
Research from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU), drawing on the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA), shows women over 55 have poorer health than their male peers. LASA follows individuals aged 55+ from Amsterdam, Zwolle, and Oss.
Read also: 'Women too tired to live a healthy life'
Physical performance tests reveal women match men through their 40s, but a stark gap appears in the 55-65 age group.
Researcher Lena Sialino attributes this to biology and lifestyle factors. "Women often have higher body fat percentages and greater risks of osteoarthritis and obesity," she explains. Unhealthy behaviors, like smoking, may also hit women harder—the female brain reacts differently to cigarettes.
Encouragingly, Sialino notes women are embracing healthier habits and visiting doctors more often. "These protective factors could otherwise widen the health gap even further."
Source: Trouw.nl
