Factors associated with exceptionally long life
Baku, March 17 (AZERTAC). A healthy lifestyle during the early elderly years - including weight management, exercising regularly and not smoking - may be associated with a greater probability of living to age 90 in men, as well as good health and physical function, according to a report of Archives of Internal Medicine.
A second article in the same issue finds that although some individuals survive to 100 years or beyond by avoiding chronic diseases, other centenarians live with such conditions for many years without becoming disabled.
Studies of twins have found that about one-fourth of the variation in human life span can be attributed to genetics, according to background information in the article. That leaves about 75 percent that could be attributed to modifiable risk factors.
Laurel B. Yates, M.D., M.P.H., of Brigham & Women`s Hospital, Boston, and colleagues studied a group of 2,357 men who were participants in the Physician`s Health Study. At the beginning of the study, in 1981 to 1984, the men (average age 72) provided information about demographic and health variables, including height, weight, blood pressure and cholesterol levels and how often they exercised. Twice during the first year and then once each following year through 2006, they completed a questionnaire asking about changes in habits, health status or ability to do daily tasks.
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