Leisure and Long-Term Health

Paper Summary:

This paper is a research literature review of studies done concerning the effect of leisure on health. Theories of leisure are described and related to the topic. The paper discusses the effects on both physical and mental health of individuals. Ideas for future research are presented at the end of the paper.

From the Paper:

"Long-term health is becoming a more prevalent issue in the United States than ever before. In the US it is projected by the Census Bureau that by the year 2020, 17.7% of the population will be 65 years of age or over and that this figure will grow to 22.9% in 2050 (Kwai-Sang Yau & Packer, 2002). Life expectancy in the United States is currently approximately 80 years from birth (NCHS, 2004). Though these numbers are definitely promising they may be a bit misleading. The increase in life expectancy seems to be more of a product of other factors such as medical advances and less of a derivative of increased leisure activity. Also, life expectancy does not take into account quality of life. Mental Happiness is just as important throughout the life-cycle as physical health. People are living to 80 years old, but they may be suffering from many different ailments as a result of an unhealthy lifestyle or general consequences of aging. Medical science can treat those ailments enough to keep people alive, but in many cases they cannot be cured and people have to live with their effects and the unhappiness they bring with them. That is why leisure activity participation must be looked at as a possible solution to health problems in later life. To truly get to the heart of the problem, leisure activites' involvement in health related matters throughout the lifespan must be dissected."

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