The Australian Centenarian Study carried out by the University of New South Wales (UNSW) found a happy and optimistic outlook, strong family and social connections and maintaining a healthy weight were key factors in longevity. And although many of us might imagine 100 year-olds as frail and bed-ridden, our oldest citizens are in fact active, fit and mentally alert, having avoided major illnesses, and are often still living independently.
Previously, longevity seemed to be confined to geographically isolated communities like the islands of Okinawa off the coast of Japan and the mountain regions of Sardinia, where people eat well, exercise regularly, have a positive outlook and share strong genes. The new Australian study reveals that centenarians share characteristics no matter where they live, suggesting the powerful impact of personality in extending life even in face-paced developed economies.
“Centenarians have experienced life’s trials and tribulations, the death of loves ones, displacement through migration, holocaust and war, and yet these people have still lived to 100. One of the reasons is their resilience, adaptability and openness to change.”
Professor Richmond and her team studied 188 Australians who had made it to 100. “About 20 to 30 per cent of the likelihood of living to 100 is because of your genes. But that leaves 70 to 80 per cent up to environmental factors,” Professor Richmond says. “The major finding of this study is the impact of personality.”
Many of the world’s developed nations have rapidly ageing populations and with advances in nutrition and health care some demographers believe up to half of those people born today have the potential to live to 100.
“Everyone is intrigued by the mysteries of longevity,” says Professor Richmond. “Who lives to 100? Is living that long worthwhile? Are centenarians different from the rest of us and what can we do to get there ourselves?”
The study busts some of the prevailing myths about what it means to reach extreme old age, particularly the expectation that long lives are characterised by chronic illnesses and that the very old are a burden on their carers and the health system.
“In fact, none of these things are true. Centenarians have a markedly reduced prevalence of diseases and conditions associated with ageing, particularly cardio vascular disease, cancers and dementia.”
The majority of 100-year olds have family contact at least one of two times a week and regularly participate in organised group activities. The study, which was coordinated by UNSW’s Schools of Psychiatry and Public Health and Community Medicine, was recently presented to the International Federation on Ageing Conference in Melbourne.
Later this year, UNSW will host the first Australasian conference on Centenarians to examine the science of healthy ageing and exceptional longevity and the impact of such long lives on individuals, their families and the community. In Australia the number of 100 year olds increases by 26 per cent between 2001 and 2006, compared to a 5.8 per cent increase in the overall population.
UNSW Faculty of Medicine : www.med.unsw.edu.au
Living to 100 : http://web.med.unsw.edu.au/livingto100/index.html