University College London research provides first evidence linking arts and cultural engagement, including museum visits, to biological ageing markers.
Visiting museums, heritage sites and engaging in arts activities is associated with slower biological ageing, according to the first study to examine cultural engagement and epigenetic markers of ageing.
The research, published in the journal Innovation in Aging by University College London, analysed data from 3,556 adults and found that arts and cultural engagement was associated with slower epigenetic ageing, with effect sizes comparable to physical activity.
Arts and cultural engagement was measured through four categories of activities: participatory arts such as singing, dancing, painting, photography and crafting; receptive arts including attending exhibitions and events; visiting heritage sites including historic parks, buildings and monuments; and other cultural activities such as going to museums, libraries and archives.
Researchers examined seven epigenetic clocks, measures that assess biological rather than chronological age. Arts and cultural engagement was associated with slower ageing in three of these: PhenoAge, DunedinPoAm and DunedinPACE.
Both the frequency and diversity of cultural engagement showed associations with the ageing markers. More than three-quarters of participants engaged in cultural activities monthly or weekly, and around 82 per cent participated in three or more different types of activities.
The authors state in the paper: “Our study provides the first evidence that ACEng, a much more recently recognised health behaviour, is related to epigenetic ageing, with magnitudes comparable to PA. These findings position ACEng as a potential contributor to healthy ageing at the biological level, supporting its inclusion in public health strategies.”
Physical activity showed similar associations with the same three epigenetic clocks, with comparable effect sizes to arts and cultural engagement.
The associations were generally stronger among adults aged 40 or above. The study used data from the UK Household Longitudinal Study collected between 2010 and 2012 and controlled for demographic and socioeconomic factors.
The authors acknowledge limitations including reliance on self-reported behaviours and note that the study shows associations rather than causal relationships.
The research was led by Dr Daisy Fancourt and colleagues from the Department of Behavioural Science and Health at University College London.
