Feeling extreme loneliness for an extended period of time can often create larger medical problems than obesity, according to a new study.
Long-term loneliness ups the risk of an early death by 14 percent, according to the Toronto Sun - that's just as much of a spike as obesity and poverty cause when it comes to overall health.
Excessive loneliness can have a marked impact on mental and physical health, the Toronto Sun reported.
According to a recent study in which 2,000 Americans at least 50 years of age were followed over the span of six years, there was a direct connection between loneliness levels and the nature of the subjects' health.
Psychology professor for the University of Chicago John Cacioppo told the Sun that the extent of peoples' loneliness might be linked to their long-term health and chances of passing away. Cacioppo also noted that a difference in mental and bodily health as people get older could be linked to how many people they keep close to them.
"We have mythic notions of retirement," Cacioppo stated during an interview with the Sun. "We think that retirement means leaving friends and family and buying a place down in Florida where it is warm and living happily ever after. But that's probably not the best idea. Retiring to Florida to live in a warmer climate among strangers isn't necessarily a good idea if it means you are disconnected from the people who mean the most to you."
Those subjects who remained near loved ones and friends, regardless of whether they were married or single, generally led healthier lives and lived longer, Cacioppo said.
According to research conducted by the Mental Health Foundation, 20-40 percent of mature adults feel just as lonely as people who live solo, especially during retirement.
That same survey also showed that 10 percent of the British people interviewed said they felt lonely, while one third said they thought a good friend or family member was extremely lonely. Half reported feeling like people were getting lonelier overall.
