Do you really know?

Is looking older a bad thing?

Apr 9, 2025

A fascinating study from the University of Rotterdam reveals the health implications of looking older. Researchers found that those who appear younger may face fewer age-related health issues. The findings suggest visible aging could be linked to deeper biological health factors. This intriguing connection raises questions about mortality rates and our perceptions of age. It's a quick dive into how our appearance might reflect our overall well-being!

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Quick takeaways

A study reveals that perceived age is linked to various age-related health conditions and cognitive abilities in individuals.

Younger-appearing individuals may have lower biological aging signs, potentially leading to better health outcomes and less susceptibility to diseases.

Deep dives

Link Between Perceived Age and Health Conditions

A study from the University of Rotterdam reveals a connection between perceived age and susceptibility to certain age-related health conditions. Researchers analyzed nearly 2,700 participants, assessing their facial photographs to estimate their ages while ensuring no cosmetic enhancements were used. The findings indicated that individuals who appeared younger than their actual ages had lower risks of developing conditions such as cataracts, hearing loss, and osteoporosis. Additionally, younger-appearing participants excelled in cognitive tests, suggesting that visible youthfulness may correlate with overall health and vitality beyond lifestyle factors.

The Health Implications of Perceived Age

3min

“Time and tide waits for no one”, the old saying goes, but it’s fair to say that some people are affected by symptoms of ageing earlier than others. And the latest study to come out of the University of Rotterdam suggests that there may be a link between how old we look, and how likely we are to develop certain age-related conditions.

The team of researchers published their findings in the British Journal of Dermatology in January 2023. They had studied a group of 2679 people aged between 51 and 87. Facial photographs were taken of each participant. They’d all been instructed not to wear any creams, make-up or jewellery. 27 assessors were then tasked with estimating the age of participants, based on the photos of their faces.

What evidence is that based on? Where does the link to health conditions come in? Is looking older linked to a higher mortality rate then? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions!

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A Bababam Originals podcast, written and produced by Joseph Chance.

First Broadcast: 5/3/2023

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