JAKARTA - A recent study finally provides a scientific explanation of why women usually live longer than men.
The study was published on October 1 in the journal Science Advances and involved observations of 528 mammal species worldwide.
The results are quite consistent, namely the female lives on average 13% longer than the male on 72% of the investigated species.
Researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology found biological factors play an important role in the long life of females.
But social behavior and parenting roles also have a big influence. These findings can help explain the difference in life expectancy between men and women in humans.
"We found that the female advantage in terms of longevity is part of the mammal's evolution process," said Fernando Colchero, lead author of the study, quoted from the People page.
"This phenomenon has been going on for millions of years," he continued.
Biologically, women have two X-chromodynamics, while men only have one X-chromodynamics and one Y. This difference provides genetic benefits for women.
"This genetic structure functions like a backup system. If one chromosome X experiences mutation or damage, the body still has one backup copy to protect cell health," Colchero explained.
Meanwhile, men who only have one chromosome X do not have the same defense, making them more susceptible to genetic mutations and certain diseases.
In addition to genetics factors, the role of women as natural caregivers is also believed to affect their longevity.
In many mammal species including humans, females often act as protectors and caretakers.
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"The need to live long enough to raise offspring makes women evolutionarily tend to live longer," the researchers wrote in their report.
In other words, nature chooses females to be more resistant to life, because the survival of children depends on the health of their mothers.
Although this pattern is strong in the mammalian world, researchers found that in other groups such as birds, amphibabilities, and insects, males tend to live longer.
This difference shows that longevity is not only influenced by genetics, but also by different behavior and evolutionary pressures in each species.
For example, a male deer grows with a large horn to fight against one another man for the sake of fighting for a partner.
"This is a form of evolutionary pressure but also risky behavior that can shorten their lives," said Colchero.
The results of this study are also in line with the fact that men tend to do more risky behavior than women.
"Men are more likely to become addicted to alcohol, smoke, or use drugs," the study wrote.
"All of these behaviors increase the risk of deadly diseases such as lung cancer and heart disease," he continued.
In addition, men also rarely use sunscreen which causes them to be more susceptible to skin cancer (melanoma).
To reduce the gap in life expectancy between men and women, Colchero suggested that men imitate some of the healthy habits women have.
"Men can take advantage by imitating women's behavior as being more careful in maintaining health, avoiding risks, and sharing domestic responsibilities in a balanced manner," he said.
A more health-aware lifestyle, strong social communication, and balance in domestic life can help men live longer.
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