The psychological and behavioural symptoms of pre-frailty can begin in middle age. Much to look forward to!
As if turning 40 wasn’t enough of a thrill already, new Australian research has indicated that pre-frailty often starts in middle age.
Frailty – i.e. reduced strength, energy and ability to recover from illness – is typically reserved for old age; after all, nothing quite says “congratulations for surviving this hellhole long enough to retire” better than being at increased risk of falls.
Pre-frailty, where individuals are not considered clinically frail but carry a greater risk of progression into frailty, is estimated to effect about half of over-65s in Australia.
While international studies have indicated a relatively notable prevalence of pre-frailty in adults aged 40 to 65, Australian studies have typically focused on older adults.
For a new study published in BMC Public Health, 321 Australians aged 40 and over completed a survey covering their physical activity levels, comorbidities, quality of life, loneliness, frailty, felt age, social isolation and attitude toward ageing.
Of the 250 participants aged between 40 and 65, close to two-thirds were classified as pre-frail and one in 20 were classified as frail.
After accounting for BMI, age and number of comorbidities, there were strong associations between frailty risk factors for felt or perceived age, attitudes to ageing and loneliness.
“These findings suggest that frailty risk factors may be apparent earlier than expected,” the researchers wrote.
“The association with negative attitudes towards ageing highlights the importance of fostering positive perceptions of ageing as a public health priority, aligning with the World Health Organization’s Decade of Healthy Ageing initiative.”
While loneliness and negative attitudes toward ageing have been identified as determinants of increased frailty levels by previous research, it has typically been in the over-60s age cohort.
“The current study extends this understanding to a younger cohort, suggesting that these factors are relevant across a broader age range,” the researchers wrote.
The good news, though, is that these factors can be controlled.
“Community engagement programs, such as intergenerational initiatives, have shown promise in enhancing social networks and reducing loneliness by fostering relationships between older and younger generations through shared activities like mentoring, storytelling, and hobbies,” the researchers wrote.
“Given the benefits associated with exercise, these is an opportunity for social connection through involvement in sporting clubs or walking/running groups which have previously demonstrated social and physical benefits in adults aged 40 – 65.”
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