A survey of 2,000 Brits by a health-care and insurance company places the start of middle age at 53 years old. The results debunk previous belief that dreaded age when mid-life crisis starts at 40.

Even if the poll says mid-life begins at 53, almost half of the respondents in their 50s state that they have not experienced middle age, reports The Washington Post. Paul Keenan, communications head at Benenden Health, the sponsor of the survey, explains the rise in middle age to several factors.

These factors include more active lifestyles and healthier living which translates into a change in people’s attitude toward ageing. He adds 50 percent of the survey respondents feel that middle age is non-existent.

Keenan explains, “Being ‘old’ appears to be a state of mind rather than being a specific age. People no longer see ‘middle age’ as a numerical milestone and don’t tend to think of themselves as ‘old’ as they hit their fifties and beyond. I’m 54 myself, with the mind-set of thirty-something – perhaps sometimes even that of a teenager!”

Those who admit they feel having reach mid-life, the signs include the choice of clothes and footwear based on comfort instead of style, or grow hair in other parts of the body, except on their head. Other indicators of middle age include unfamiliarity with technology such as TVs and tablets, unaware of what young people are discussing, stiff feeling, requiring an afternoon nap, difficulty when bending down, unfamiliar with modern bands, ailments are the frequent subject of talk, dislikes noisy joints and viewing policemen, teachers and doctors are looking really young.

But another study in 2011 by Florida State University (FSU) scientists pinpoints 44 to 60 as the middle years. It used representative data collected in 1995-96 and 2004-06. The study was published in the Advances in Life Course Research journal, reports FSU.

Anne Barrett, associate professor of sociology, points out that people’s views differ a lot when it comes to mid-life. But one common survey result of the studies is that middle age starts earlier for women than men.

However, with scientists now studying the properties of diabetes drug metformin as an anti-ageing medication which could push life span up to 120 years, the start of middle age may have to be further raised to 60 or 75 in a few decades.

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