The Role of Diet in Longevity

Abstract

The popular saying “tell me what you eat, and I will tell you who you are” emphasizes the role that food plays in our health, our psychological life, and our physical well-being. Moreover, the discovery that a moderate food restriction can increase life span of laboratory animals to a considerable extent is a good illustration of the effects of food on health. Scientists and physicians recognize that diet plays a crucial role at all stages of people’s life. Infants, children, and adolescents should receive a diet sufficient to ensure physical and mental growth. Adults should avoid becoming overweight. This is of particular concern in the United States where the occurrence of obesity is stunningly high (30% of the population, particularly among women and minority groups). Obesity is associated with greater morbidity and the incidence of diseases such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, stroke; also, the incidence of some forms of cancers rises with increasing weight (Kuczmarski et al, 1995).