Key points from article :
Hobbies offer essential mental health benefits for the elderly, as per research in Nature Medicine.
The study involved 93,300 individuals over 65 from 16 countries, analysing hobby engagement and mental wellbeing.
Findings reveal varying hobby participation rates, with just 37.6% in China and 90% in Japan.
Despite regional differences, hobbies consistently reduced depressive symptoms and improved health and happiness.
This research emphasises the need for policies supporting hobbies to enhance mental health in ageing populations.
The study was led by researchers at UCL, Japan's National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, and other centres in Europe and Japan.
