King's College London: Tough times in life linked to frailty

April 29, 2026

South London News Smart London Desk Edited By Jimmy Nsubuga

Life's tough breaks could be making us more frail as we get older, according to new research from King's College London. The study, from the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN) at the university, found a clear link between experiencing hardship and increased frailty in middle-aged and older adults.

The lasting impact of tough times

The research analysed data from over 150,000 people. It discovered that those who faced adversity in both childhood and adulthood were more frail than those who only experienced it at one stage or not at all. These individuals also appeared to be biologically older than their actual age.

Frailty is a serious health issue. It means a decline in physical strength and a greater risk of health problems. As more people live longer, it's becoming a major concern for public health.

What the experts say

Dr Julian Mutz, a lead author on the study, stated, "Our findings suggest that adversity across the life course may leave a lasting imprint on health, with the greatest burden seen in individuals exposed in both childhood and adulthood." He added, "While the human body becomes less physically strong as it ages, frailty is not simply about getting older. It reflects the accumulation of health deficits and a marked decline in physiological resilience."

But there's good news too. Dr Monica Aas, another key researcher, said, "While these findings should be taken seriously, there is also reason for optimism. Regular light exercise, good nutrition and strong social connections have all been shown to be effective interventions for frailty, providing clinicians and policy makers with a clear means of prevention and management as the global populace continues to age."

The team now wants to explore what might help reduce the impact of adversity on our bodies as we age.

Author

South London News Smart London Desk Edited By Jimmy Nsubuga

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