A lack of social interaction can be as damaging to a woman's health as an insufficient amount of exercise in ladies fitness clothing, a study has suggested.

Researchers from Brigham Young University (BYU) found that social connections, such as friends, family, neighbours or colleagues, can improve a person's survival rate by 50 per cent.

"When someone is connected to a group and feels responsibility for other people, that sense of purpose and meaning translates to taking better care of themselves and taking fewer risks," the study's first author Dr Julianne Holt-Lunstad, a professor in the Department of Psychology at BYU, said.

The researchers suggest that social relationships should be added to the shortlist of factors that impact a person's odds of living or dying, which also includes smoking, diet and exercise.

Earlier this month, researchers from the University of Alberta's School of Public Health revealed that heart failure patients can increase their life expectancy if they build up muscle mass, which can be achieved through regular exercise.

Posted by Martin Sebborn ADNFCR-2569-ID-800007319-ADNFCR

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