It is known to all that obesity has become a major public health problem; However, a study conducted by Brigham Young University in Utah (USA) suggests that there are two threats greater than the obesity epidemic facing the world: loneliness and social isolation.
Two meta-analyzes revealed that loneliness and social isolation can increase the risk of premature death by up to 50%.
While loneliness and social isolation are terms that are often used interchangeably, there are notable differences between the two. Social isolation is defined as the lack of contact with other individuals, while loneliness is the sense of oneself of feeling emotionally disconnected from others. In essence, a person can be in the presence of others and still feel lonely.
Previous research has determined that loneliness may be linked to Alzheimer’s disease and social isolation with lower survival for breast cancer patients.
For this study, the researchers sought to determine how loneliness and social isolation influenced the risk of premature death. Therefore, they carried out two meta-analyzes in which they analyzed the link between loneliness, social isolation and mortality.
The first meta-analysis included more than 300,000 adults in 148 studies, while the second included 70 studies with more than 3.4 million adults.
Data from the first meta-analysis revealed that the risk of premature death was 50% lower for adults with a greater connection to other people, compared to those who were socially isolated.
In the second meta-analysis, the researchers found that loneliness, social isolation, and living alone were associated with an increased risk of premature death.
What’s more, the team found that the risk of early death associated with loneliness, social isolation and living alone was equal to or greater than the risk of premature death associated with obesity and other major health conditions.
“ There is strong evidence that social isolation and loneliness significantly increase the risk of premature mortality and the magnitude of the risk exceeds that of many leading health indicators,” explains Julianne Holt-Lunstad, leader of the work.
According to the expert, these results are particularly worrying given that the aging of the population is increasing. “In fact, many nations around the world now suggest that we are facing an epidemic of loneliness.”
How to remedy this growing problem
The researcher suggests that one option would be to place more emphasis on social skills training for schoolchildren, and that doctors should try to incorporate the patient’s social connection in the medical examination of older adults.
On the other hand, he affirms that older adults should not only prepare for the financial consequences of retirement, but also for the social ones, pointing out that the social connections of many adults come from the workplace.
Referencia: Session 3328: “Loneliness: A Growing Public Health Threat,” Plenary, Saturday, Aug. 5, 3-3:50 p.m. EDT, Room 151A, Street Level, Walter E. Washington Convention Center, 801 Mount Vernon Pl., N.W., Washington, D.C. 125th Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association.
