How Much Grandparenting is too Much? UAB Study Explores Effects of Grandparenting on Health

By Tehreem Khan | UAB News An active lifestyle is known to boost both mental and physical health, increasing life expectancy. It is often assumed that grandparents who care for their grandchildren engage in more activities, such as playing and going on outings, which should improve their health. However, researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham have found that grandparents who are heavily involved in the caregiving of their grandchildren actually experience poorer health outcomes. The study, published in the Journal of Aging and Health, analyzed a nationally representative data set of older adults in the United States. The study found that, the more hours a grandparent spent on grandparenting activities, and whether they lived with their grandchildren — known as grandparenting intensity, the less often they were able to exercise. Sociologist Patricia Drentea, Ph.D. “Our goal with this study was to understand the association of grandparenting with physical activity,” said Patricia Drentea, Ph.D., professor of sociology and lead author of the study. “We found an inverse relationship between the two because caring for grandchildren allows less time to pursue interests and stay active.” Intensified caregiving adversely affects physical activity and overall health, most prominently among these groups: Grandparents...