A Better Lifestyle for a Longer Life by Allison Aubrey, NPR.org. According to a study in the Archives of Internal Medicine, an active lifestyle is a key predictor of longevity.
Researchers at Harvard University’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital followed a group of 2,357 men for about 25 years beginning in their early 70s. They found that those who lived the longest had some things in common: They avoided smoking, didn’t become obese or diabetic, controlled their blood pressure, and remained physically active, exercising two to four times per week. Those who followed these habits and remained physically active had greater than a 54 percent chance of living into their 90s, researchers said. And, this means people who follow these habits aren’t just hanging on. Many have a good quality of life.
“The surprise, I think, is the importance of regular exercise, and how strongly that was associated with long life and good function,” said Dr. Laurel Yates, the lead author of the study.
