Abstract
There are places around the world where people live longer and they are active past the age of 100 years, sharing common behavioral characteristics; these places (i.e., Sardinia in Italy, Okinawa in Japan, Loma Linda in California and Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica) have been named the “Blue Zones”. Recently it was reported that people in Ikaria Island, Greece, have also one of the highest life expectancies in the world, and joined the “Blue Zones”. The aim of this work work was to evaluate various demographic, lifestyle and psychological characteristics of very old (>80 years) people participated in Ikaria Study. Methods. During 2009, 1420 people (aged 30+) men and women from Ikaria Island, Greece, were voluntarily enrolled in the study. For this work, 89 males and 98 females over the age of 80 yrs were studied (13% of the sample). Socio-demographic, clinical, psychological and lifestyle characteristics were assessed using standard questionnaires and procedures. Results. A large proportion of the Ikaria Study’s sample was over the age of 80; moreover, the percent of people over 90 were much higher than the European population average. The majority of the oldest old participants reported daily physical activities, healthy eating habits, avoidance of smoking, frequent socializing, mid-day naps and extremely low rates of depression. Conclusion. Modifiable risk factors, such as physical activity, diet, smoking cessation and mid-day naps, might depict the “secrets” of the long-livers; these findings suggest that the interaction of environmental, behavioral together with clinical characteristics may determine longevity. This concept must be further explored in order to understand how these factors relate and which are the most important in shaping prolonged life.
Generated Summary
This research article presents findings from the Ikaria Study, a cross-sectional survey conducted in 2009 on the Greek island of Ikaria. The study aimed to evaluate the demographic, lifestyle, and psychological characteristics of older adults (80 years and older) living on the island, focusing on the factors that contribute to their longevity. The methodology involved enrolling 1420 participants aged 30 and older and collecting data on various sociodemographic, clinical, psychological, and lifestyle factors using standard questionnaires and procedures. The study specifically examined a sample of 89 men and 98 women over the age of 80, which constituted 13% of the total sample. The study’s approach allowed for an investigation into the ‘secrets’ of the long-lived individuals from Ikaria Island, Greece, known for its high concentration of centenarians, and exploring how these factors relate to and shape prolonged life.
Key Findings & Statistics
- The study sample consisted of 187 people (13% of the total study’s sample) over 80 years old.
- 1.6% of the men and 1.1% of women participants in the Ikaria study were over the age of 90.
- The parental age of death of the participants’ was 76 years for their father and 80 years for their mother.
- In the Ikaria study, the woman to men ratio among people over the age of 80 was much lower, with 100 women to 90 men.
- Almost half of the oldest old participants of the Ikaria study reported low income.
- A large proportion of people, especially women, were without any pension.
- 3.3% of men and 4.1% of women of these oldest old participants were still working.
- 20.3% of the oldest old participants did not complete primary school, and the illiteracy rate was 10.1%.
- Men were more physically active than women: almost 9 out of 10 men versus 7 out of 10 women reported daily activities.
- Very few men and women were current smokers; however, almost all men (i.e., 99%) and 32% of women reported ever smoking.
- The average score for adherence to the Mediterranean diet was 38/55.
- Depressive symptomatology, as assessed by the GDS, was much higher in women as compared with men.
- The average GDS scores were very low (i.e., <5).
- 54% of men and 70% of women scored above the depression cut-off.
Other Important Findings
- The majority of the oldest old participants reported daily physical activities, healthy eating habits, avoidance of smoking, frequent socializing, mid-day naps, and extremely low rates of depression.
- Modifiable risk factors, such as physical activity, diet, smoking cessation, and mid-day naps, might depict the “secrets” of the long-livers.
- The study’s findings suggest that the interaction of environmental, behavioral, and clinical characteristics may determine longevity.
- The study revealed that people taking regularly a midday nap had lower GDS scores.
- A large present of the studied sample was living together with another person, which may minimize feelings of loneliness.
- The level of adherence to the Mediterranean diet was much higher than the elderly participants in the MEDIS Study.
- Regular activity and healthy eating were associated with reduced overall mortality.
Limitations Noted in the Document
- The sampling procedure did not follow strict demographic methodologies, therefore the age distribution of the study’s sample is not representative of the total population of the island.
- The study’s sampling procedures might have limitations.
- The observed differences between genders and intake of various foods were of limited nutritional information.
Conclusion
The Ikaria Study provides valuable insights into the lifestyle and characteristics of the oldest old population on the Greek island of Ikaria, a region known for its high longevity rates. The study highlights the importance of modifiable risk factors such as physical activity, diet, smoking cessation, and midday naps, which might be the “secrets” of the long-livers. The findings suggest that the interaction of environmental, behavioral, and clinical characteristics may determine longevity. The study’s conclusion emphasizes that the inclusion of Ikaria Island in the Blue Zones seems to be more rational than ever and it revealed that modifiable risk factors, such as physical activity, dietary habits, smoking cessation, and midday naps, might depict the “secrets” of the long livers. The observed differences between genders and intake of various foods were of limited nutritional information. This study contributes to the understanding of how these factors relate and which are most important in shaping longevity. It reinforces the concept that longevity is a complex attribute determined by various factors, including exposure to disease, sleeping patterns, physical activity, dietary habits, and the indirect emotional and cognitive influence on physiological pathways. In essence, this work encourages further exploration to fully comprehend the interplay of these factors and their impact on the human lifespan. The study also reinforces the idea that this is a widely adopted concept and must be further explored in order to understand how these factors relate and which are most important in shaping longevity.