More Children Means Longer Life

Will you have more children to have a longer life? 

A new research, published in the Age and Ageing journal, revealed that women lead longer lives if they have children. The study tracked for 16 years older Australians in Dubbo. It found that those who have more children are 40 percent less likely to die compared to those who don’t have kids. 

University of New South Wales study leader and associate professor Leon Simons said some women they tracked had up to 14 kids. He, however, is quick to say that the study does not advocate that women have more kids especially if they can’t afford to raise them properly. 

Simons said it is unknown why women with children live longer. Similar studies have been conducted in other countries and revealed the same results. He added that having kids also help men lead longer lives but studies on this are not conclusive. 

The unfortunate side of this study is that having more children can also increase the chance of dying from heart diseases. The other side of the coin is that there is a decrease in fatality from respiratory and cancer diseases. 

The study monitored close to 3,000 men and women who are 60 years and older. The research began in 1988 and 1999. Simons said that in the 1940s and 1950s, it was common to find big families. Women with at least three kids had 20 percent decreased risk of dying. Those with zero to two kids posted a lower percentage at 17 percent.