Working parents tend to feel older: Study
Owing to a busy working schedule, the working parents are more likely to indulge in unhealthy habits, like smoking and drinking, whereas they exercise and sleep less than the stay-at-home parents.
Therefore, an average 46-year-old adult will have lower energy levels, as those of a 53-year-old.
On the other hand, those who stay at home adopt healthier eating and exercise habits. Hence, an average 46-year-old adult will feel four years younger than his/her real age.
Observations by the researchers
In a survey of 2,000 working parents of children up to 17-year-old, it was found that only 43 percent of working parents, whether male or female, ate a balanced diet and 18 percent never undertook any physical activity.
On the other hand, 53 percent of the non-working parents ate a balanced diet and only 12 percent of them never exercised.
Furthermore, 16 percent of the working fathers liked to grab takeaways and 30 percent of the working mothers were found to eat a quick snack like chocolate on feeling low on energy.
This compares to only seven percent of the stay-at-home parents who liked to grab unhealthy takeaways, the researchers noted.
The research also stated that working parents were also not found to eat their recommended levels of fruits and vegetables compared to their stay-at-home counterparts.
The survey was conducted by insurer PruHealth.
Small lifestyle changes could help
Trying to meet up the requirements of a job and raising a family could be a Herculean task. However, making small changes in the lifestyle can make you feel younger as well as energetic, the researchers said.
PruHealth chief executive, Shaun Matisonn said, "Finding time to exercise and eat healthily can be difficult while you’re juggling a career and looking after a young family.
"But incorporating small steps into your daily routine, such as walking the children to school, getting off the bus a stop early and snacking on fruit rather than crisps, can help. It also sets a good example for your children."