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Lifestyle of Chinese centenarians and their key beneficial factors in Chongqing, China.

Li Y, Bai Y, Tao QL, Zeng H, Han LL, Luo MY, Zhang N, Zhong XN, Xie YJ, Zhao Y.
Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2014 Jun;23(2):309-14. doi: 10.6133/apjcn.2014.23.2.05.
PMID:24901102[PubMed - in process] Free Article

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to describe the lifestyle of Chinese centenarians and to identify the beneficial factors that are correlated to their longevity.

Methods: A census-based survey was conducted among centenarians in Chongqing, Southwest China, to identify the lifestyle factors affecting their health. From screening identification cards, 878 centenarians (age range 100-117, mean 102) were identified and interviewed.

Results: The survey indicated that 64% centenarians were able to take care of themselves. The majority of centenarians were nonsmokers (92%) and non-drinkers (83%). No significant difference was observed between urban and rural distributions (chi square=0.939, p=0.625). Moreover, 43% centenarians maintained a regular diet, and only 33% had a sedentary lifestyle.

Conclusions: A nutritious diet, adequate physical exercise, and a harmonious family environment may be the key lifestyle factors for their longevity of centenarians in Chongqing. These observations might be helpful in designing health promotion and welfare strategies for the elderly.

Highlights

- Many people believe that “the older you get, the sicker you become, especially the oldest centenarians.” However, 57% of the participating centenarians were still in good health.

- In the present study, 91.6% of the participating centenarians were non-smokers, and 83.0% were non-drinkers. No statistically significant differences were observed in the smoking and drinking habits between the rural and urban centenarians, which indicated that these centenarians commonly avoided smoking and drinking.

- Maintaining a regular diet was believed to improve the health of the centenarians. A survey on the dietary habits of centenarians in Hebei province found that these centenarians followed a regular diet, without preferences for specific foods.14 Professor Zheng Ji, a famous 108-year-old scientist, emphasized that elderly people should not eat too much.12 Studies have found that vegetarians were able to live significantly longer than individuals with high-fat dietary habits.15 Eating more vegetables and eating less meat and oily food could prevent particular diseases, such as hyperlipidemia. A high daily salt intake could increase the risk of high blood pressure. A low-salt diet for the elderly could help them maintain a normal blood pressure. Okinawa, Japan was found to have the most number of centenarians and the longest life expectancy in the world. Most of its residents never developed a preference for salty food.16 The same bland, plant-based dietary habit could be observed among the Chongqing centenarians, which may have helped them avoid obesity.12,17

- In terms of physical activity, most of Chongqing’s cen-tenarians preferred to rest peacefully, take a walk, and socialize, which reflected the combination of dynamic and static approaches. A study of centenarians in Japan showed that 43% of the centenarians exercised every day, and their major activity was walking.18 Regular daily ex- ercise was conducive to both the mental and physical health of the centenarians, and light exercises, such as walking, have become a major activity among the cente- narians.18 Researchers found that the elderly in the Bama at Guangxi province in southwest China often engaged in exercises and long-term physical activities, which pro- moted their longevity.19 The elderly received other bene- fits from exercising, such as establishing social circles and maintaining good interpersonal relationships. The primary difference between urban and rural centenarians was that more elderly in rural areas engage in housework as their daily activity. Moreover, the elderly often took care of their grandchildren at home. In terms of interpersonal communication, 50% of the centenarians occasion- ally communicated, and 13% never initiated conversa- tions with other people.

- We should not only focus on this particular group of centenarians but also promote the benefits of a healthy lifestyle and habits, as well as raise public awareness on the effects of our daily activities on our health and lon- gevity.

- A nutritious diet, adequate physical exercise, and a harmo- nious family environment may be the key lifestyle factors for their longevity of centenarians in Chongqing.

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Implications from and for food cultures for cardiovascular disease: longevity

Asia Pacific J Clin Nutr (2001) 10(2): 165–171
Makoto Suzuki,1 Bradly J Wilcox2 and Craig D Wilcox3


A healthy cardiovascular system, with minimal arteriosclerosis, good endothelial function and well- compensated ventricular function has been observed at advanced ages, and linked to a healthy lifestyle. This has consisted of a plant-based diet, low in salt and fat, with monounsaturates as the principal fat. Other healthy lifestyle factors include regular physical activity (farming and traditional dance) and minimal tobacco use. The associated negative risk factors are low homocysteine, healthy cholesterol profile (Total:HDL ratio less than 3.5) and reasonable blood pressures throughout the life cycle. Hormone-dependent cancers including breast, ovary, prostate and colon and osteoporotic complications, such as hip fracture rates, are also less frequent compared to the west. Protective factors may include high anti-oxidant consumption, mainly flavonoids and carotenoids, through a high vegetable (e.g., onions) and soy intake. Related biological observations include low lipid peroxide, high superoxide dismutase activity and high serum hydroxyproline, a marker of bone formation. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its hormonal byproducts testosterone and oestrogen appear to be high in Okinawan serum compared with age-matched Americans, possibly reflecting a slower age-associated decline in the sex hormone axis in Okinawans. This may be linked to better cardiovascular and overall health. Further study is needed to delineate the reasons behind the impressive cardiovascular and overall health of the Okinawans.