Old age may just be a state of mind

Old age may be a state of mind as well as the body, says scientists who found that people   who have a younger outlook in life are healthier in old age.According to a new study,older 

adults who categorize themselves as old and frail encourage attitudinal and behavioural 

confimation of that identity.Researchers lead by Krystal Warmoth and colleagues at University of Exeter Medical School interviewed 29 older adults in the south West of England face-t0-face.Interviews conducted asked about their experience of ageing and frailty. Self-preception and identification related to one's health and participation in an active life.They found that people who consider themselves to be frail are more likely to abandon activities which can keep them healthy in old age such as taking regular exercise and walks.One's attitude could lead to loss of interest in participating in social and physical activities, poor health, stigmatization , and reduced quality of life, researchers said. A cycle of decline wasalso described whereby perceiving oneself as frail was felt tolead to disengaging in activities that could reduce the likelihood of frailty, such as physical exercise, and in turn more health and functional problems.