Abstract
The population is aging and the fastest growing group of older adults in the United States and the world are centenarians. This chapter reviews studies of centenarians in many regions of the world to find commonalities among this category of exceptionally long-lived individuals. Centenarians share many intersectional lifestyle characteristics that may contribute to their longevity. While it is difficult to prove causality for each lifestyle factor’s influence on centenarians’ extremely long life, many of the behaviors and social-environmental health determinants of centenarians can stand on their own as evidence-based complementary and alternative lifestyle practices. A growing body of evidence is showing that many of the same health behaviors of centenarians reduce the stress response, decrease incidence of chronic disease and contribute to longevity. Health care professionals can learn about the aging process and lifestyle factors that may contribute to longevity by studying centenarians.
The ideas contained in this article are for informational purpose only and not a substitute for consulting with your physician or other healthcare professionals and obtaining medical supervision as to any activity, procedure, or suggestions that might affect your health.
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Informative Websites Pertinent to Centenarians
The Okinawa Centenarian Study: Evidence based gerontology
Okinawa Research Center for Longevity Sciences: Evidence based gerontology. https://orcls.org/.
World’s longest life expectancy, health, successful aging due to lifestyle. www.okinawaprogram.com/study.
New England Centenarian Study
National Geographic: Five “Blue Zones” Where the World’s Healthiest People Live”. These cultures have uncovered the secrets of longevity. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/books/features/5-blue-zones-where-the-worlds-healthiest-people-live/
New England Centenarian Study: Why Study Centenarians? An overview A model of Aging Wel. https://www.bumc.bu.edu/centenarian/overview/
The New England Centenarian Study’s mission is to study centenarians who we believe carry the secrets to successful aging and how to delay or even escape … www.bumc.bu.edu/Dept/Home.aspx?DepartmentID=361
The Georgia Centenarian Study
University of Georgia Gerontology Center research on the conditions and needs of those who reach the age of 100 and beyond. Publications: http://www.geron.uga.edu/research/Publications.php
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Nair, M.D., Collins, E.M. (2020). Centenarians: Life Style for a Long Healthy Life. In: Pitchumoni, C., Dharmarajan, T. (eds) Geriatric Gastroenterology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-90761-1_101-1
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