By: Stephanie Mercurio

IS IT NATURE OR NURTURE? GENES OR ENVIRONMENT?
There are no homogenous biological benchmarks in which we can define aging or a quantifiable rate in which we grow older. However, there are several factors that can be associated with individual longevity which can be observed.¹⁽⁴⁵⁵⁾ Experts suggest that aging and longevity is heavily attributed to lifestyle factors, with lighter emphasis on genetics, access to healthcare, and environmental exposure to pollutants.¹⁽⁴⁵⁶⁾ There is an overarching theme that appears to influence these factors.

CONSCIENTIOUSNESS
The Terman Lifecycle Study started by Lewis Terman in 1921, is an ongoing study that observes the lives of 1,500 Americans from childhood until death. In this study, five childhood character traits have been identified as predictors of later health and wellness outcomes: extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, emotional stability, and intellect.Conscientiousness appears to be the greatest predictor of longevity and measures of health in later adult years.² These are characteristics that can also be found within The Blue Zones.

COMMUNITY & RELATIONSHIPS
The Blue Zones are 5 geographical locations throughout the world with the highest concentration of centenarians without the prevalence of chronic disease. People in these regions reach the age 100 at a rate 10 times greater than in the United States, life expectancy is 10-12 years more than average, and middle-age mortality is a fraction of what it is in the United States. The original Blue Zones are Loma Linda, California, Nicoya, Costa Rica, Sardinia, Italy, Ikaria, Greece, and Okinawa, Japan.³

One study of the 5 Blue Zones compiled criteria in which all these regions shared and call them the Power 9. They include:

1. Move naturally
2. Purpose
3. Downshift
4. 80% rule
5. Plant slant
6. Wine @ 5
7. Belong
8. Loved ones first
9. Right tribe

The communities in the Blue Zones have a higher regard and respect for their communities; people belong to faith-based communities, put their families first, and are born into social circles that they belong to for life. This is all in addition to their plant-based diets, calorie control, natural movement, and activity. They also know their purpose and engage in activity that allow them to reduce stress, such as praying, napping, or happy hour.³

NUTRITION HABITS & BEHAVIORS
Lifestyle factors contribute 51% to a person’s longevity, and those who have a higher level of conscientiousness regarding their lifestyle and dietary patterns appear to live the longest. These individuals seem to value healthier life pathways regarding positive relationships and socialization, avoid tobacco and excessive alcohol consumption, are motivated and industrious, and have a positive outlook on aging and growing older.^1(445),4 Good nutrition and health habits throughout life contribute to decreased risk of chronic disease and the increase in quality life and delay in mortality. Diets that contain vegetables, fruits, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, and lean meats are associated with greater longevity.^1(455-456)

References:

1. Brown JE. Nutrition through the lifecycle. Boston, MA; Cengage Learning: 2017.
2. Kern ML, Hampson SE, Goldberg LR, Friedman HS. Integrating prospective longitudinal data: Modeling personality and health in the Terman Life Cycle and Hawaii Longitudinal Studies. Dev Psychol. 2014;50(5):1390-1406. doi:10.1037/a0030874
3. Buettner D, Skemp S. Blue Zones: Lessons from the world’s longest lived. Am J Lifestyle Med. 2016;10(5):318–321. Published 2016 Jul 7. doi:10.1177/1559827616637066
4. Kern ML, Porta D, Dell Porta SS, Friedman HS. Lifelong pathways to longevity: personality, relationships, flourishing, and health. Journal of personality. 2014;82(6), 472-484. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jopy.12062