A round-up of other health news in brief
Looking young leads to a longer life
Fresh-faced people are likely to live longer than those who look old before their time, new research from Denmark has shown. The study was based on more than 387 twin pairs. All were aged 70-99 at the time their photographs were taken, which were then assessed by three groups of people.
The results of the study, published online in the British Medical Journal (BMJ), showed that a person’s perceived age – how old people think they look – was linked to how long they lived.
Over a seven-year follow-up, experts found that the bigger the difference in perceived age within a pair, the more likely that the older-looking twin died first.
Get fit with your mobile phone
A special fitness trainer application, downloadable onto GPS-enabled phones, is to be launched today.
Fitfone, the brainchild of Dublin-based sports medicine expert Dr Conor O’Brien, tracks the pace and distance of the user’s exercise session from their phone, assessing their fitness levels and monitoring their progress.
The application can be used to customise exercise programmes around the user’s optimal aerobic level and their personal needs.
As the application runs on GPS-enabled phones, people can conveniently carry the application with them, rather than having to use a separate device. For details or to download the application, visit www.fitfone.ie
Reminder to check on the elderly
Loneliness and isolation can mean older people are more at risk, particularly during the Christmas period, according to the charity Alone. It called on people to be mindful of their older neighbours, family and friends who live alone.
Regular checks can result in an improved quality of life for older people who may require support, the agency said. A five-minute visit to check on heating levels, food consumption, adequate security and to simply offer some human contact can have a profound effect.