Chinese Men Don't Age Well

By Theresa Tan and Ang Yiying, Straitstimes.com

May 29, 2009

China 

Chinese men do not have it when it comes to ageing. A new study has found seven in 10 elderly Chinese men do not age well. 

The study also found that men who are better educated, physically active, eat a proper diet and have religious or spiritual beliefs tend to age better. 

Associate Professor Ng Tze Pin, of the department of psychological medicine at the National University of Singapore (NUS), said: 'What's very interesting is that those who have some religious or spiritual belief tend to age more successfully. Spiritual help seems to be a source of emotional and mental support.' 

The other factors, he explained, are fairly predictable in that exercise and good nutrition keep one healthy; and better educated seniors tend to be more resourceful in areas such as seeking medical help. 

So what is considered ageing well? Prof Ng - who presented the study of about 1,300 Chinese men aged 65 and older at a symposium titled Healthcare Challenges For An Ageing Population - said there are four factors that pertain to positive ageing. 

They are: good physical health and the ability to function independently; being mentally alert and emotionally well; engaged socially; and being able to say they are highly satisfied with life. 

However, the number of men who score on all four criteria is small because many are in poor physical health, he said. About half of those surveyed said they are not in good health. And for many, ill-health affects their quality of life. Because of their ailments, for example, some men feel that they are no longer able to move about independently. 

Mr Lim Boon Heng, the minister in charge of ageing issues and guest of honour at the symposium, urged Singaporeans to exercise regularly, sharing that he has signed up for a gym membership with two other friends. 'It is tough for a person to change his lifestyle if his family and friends don't do so. Some mornings I wake up and go to the gym because my friends are there.' 

However, three quarters of the population do not work out on a regular basis, he said, and the challenge is to convince people to do so as a healthier population would mean a lower rate of chronic diseases and disabilities.

Helping people stay healthy for as long as possible and helping the sick get proper care are two challenges facing Singapore's rapidly ageing population, he pointed out. 

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