Loading ...- Sardinia, which boasts the highest rate of centenarians anywhere in the world, has 6 centenarians for every 3,000 people. In the U.S., that ratio is 1 centenarian per 5,000
- Centenarians tend to have positive attitudes, optimism, a zest for life and a good sense of humor. Other commonalities include an active lifestyle; a fresh-food diet, often homegrown, and a strong social network
- Strong social support has been scientifically verified as being the No. 1 factor that determines longevity and survival. Its influence on mortality is so great, it surpasses the influence of weight and even eclipses the influence of smoking
An Active Life and Social Support — Keys to Longevity Gleaned From Centenarians
Failing to find any specific dietary influence (aside from the fact they’ve been eating real food for most of their life), what have researchers found when mining the minds of centenarians for clues to their longevity? In interviews and surveys with centenarians, including the ones interviewed in “How to Live to 100,” the following themes dominate: 7
|
Keeping a positive attitude and a sense of humor
|
Strong social network of family and friends
|
|
Exercising moderately but regularly (walking, biking, gardening and swimming, for example)
|
Clean living (such as not smoking or drinking excessively)
|
|
Living independently
|
Faith/spirituality/having a sense of purpose in life
|
|
Staying mentally active and always learning something new
|
An active lifestyle with (often hard) physical work and/or lots of walking
|
Indeed, the importance of social support, which most centenarians give credit to for their longevity, has been scientifically verified. As noted in the documentary, an American meta-analysis of published studies found strong social support is the No. 1 factor that determines longevity and survival. The influence of social support on mortality is so great, it surpasses the influence of weight and even eclipses the influence of smoking!