Having children prolongs life, according to scientists from Karolinska Institute in Sweden. The results of their research are published in the journal of Epidemiology & Community Health.
For their experiment, the researchers collected data on life expectancy of 1.5 million older people from Sweden, born in the years 1911-1925, marital status, number and field children.
The result was that, taking into account all factors that affect life expectancy, risk of death was lower among those who had at least one child, and to a greater extent for men than for women.
So, in 80 years old man without children could expect to live another 7 years, while a man with children is 7.7 years. Women in this age could live another 8.9 and 9.5 years, respectively.
The results of the study, the researchers attributed to several factors. First, adult children care about their parents. Secondly, the arrival of children often leads to a healthier lifestyle that has a beneficial effect on its duration.
