Investigations And Analysis Of The Logenvity Factors Of Centenarians In Pingyi Shandong Province

Objective1. To explore the impact of the factors including individual characteristics, eating habits, lifestyle, family status, economic status and natural environment on the health and longevity of centenarians.2. To further explore the impact of the dietary pattern and the average daily dietary nutrient intake level on the health and longevity of centenarians in Pingyi County.3. To find out the close relationship between drinking water and longevity of centenarians. The investigators collected the corresponding drinking water samples according to the collection standard in towns and villages of Pingyi County where centenarians distribute intensively, and the water samples were tested in the health analysis and testing center of Shandong University.4. Through the above investigation to obtain the first hand information of the longevity crowd in Pingyi, Shandong province, to provide scientific basis for health and longevity of human being after analysis and research, and to discuss the reasons why the longevity crowd arise intensively at certain areas and the influencing factors. To make more elderly people improve their quality of life and see a good old age, thus to build a healthy aging society in China and become the important foundation of reducing the social burden, making old people play a role and promoting the social and economic development.Methods1. The investigators investigated centenarians one by one in their home with the questionnaire of centenarians’age and the questionnaire of centenarians’basic status, and then to explore the impact of the factors of individual characteristics, eating habits, lifestyle, family status, economic status and natural environment on the health and longevity of centenarians.2.24-hour dietary recall method is performed to investigate the dietary patterns and all kinds of food intake of all centenarians in Pingyi, and Nutrition Calculator software is utilized to calculate variety of nutrients of centenarians, thereby to explore the relationship between the dietary patterns and the daily average nutrient intake and health and longevity.3. To collect drinking water samples in towns and villages of Pingyi County where centenarians distribute intensively, and to test and analyze the water quality and trace elements content according to the national drinking water standards.4. After reviewing all the information of the survey, the data will be eligible for computer input and creating databases, and then the data is made logical verification. SPSS11.5is used to gather and analyze the data.Results1. Among87centenarians in Pingyi,63subjects (72.4%) have family history of longevity, in which the relatives of41centenarians (47.1%) reach the age of80-90and the relatives of38centenarians (43.7%) reach the age of90-100. One centenarian has relatives reaching100years old.2.33.3%of the centenarians in Pingyi rank first in their brothers and sisters,31.0%of them are the second child in the family,11.5%are the third one and10.3%are the fourth one, which is the congenital advantage. The average height and weight of females are153.0cm and41.9kg, while those were160.8cm and54.2kg when they were young. The average height and weight of males are163.8cm and48.1kg, while those were171.5cm and61.9kg when they were young. Compared with the average levels of Shandong Province, centenarians in Pingyi have smaller size, which means less energy consumption of metabolism. The survey results show that60.8%of the centenarians have an outgoing personality,20.3%of them belong to introverts, and18.9%belong to a mixed type.45.6%of the centenarians get a good humor,25.3%get an impatient temper, and29.1%belong to a mixed type.3. The survey shows that92.4%of the centenarians lead a regular life, go to bed early and get up early. Most of them go to sleep easily and wake up occasionally at night.72.2%of them often take a nap after lunch and sleep in good condition. During the daytime, they do not nod off obviously and have a good state of mind. Being long engaged in agricultural production activities is another important reason for their longevity. Nearly none of them receives any kind of education and they work as peasants for life long.50.6%of them do farm work until70,21.5%of them do until80, and21.5%do until90. The industrious and active character is an important reason for longevity of old people. 4. The vast majority of centenarians in Pingyi have three meals regularly with right amount of meat and vegetables and low salt. Most of them are non-picky eaters and eat80%full instead of too full. The main staple foods are wheat and its products, supplemented by rice and maize. Some centenarians like drink milk and dairy products. The survey also shows that most of them enjoy drinking soymilk and eating bean curd and bean products.36.7%of them like desserts, such as sugar, cookies, cake, and walnut cake. The majority of centenarians in Pingyi like to eat fruits, and the main are apples, bananas and watermelons, which will supply our body with various essential vitamins and minerals. The centenarians in Pingyi drink a lot of water every day, and some of them can even drink three thermos bottles plain water per capita one day.62.0%of the centenarians never smoke and drink, while6.3%of them drink a little occasionally. Good eating habits contribute to the health and longevity of the centenarians.5. The total weight of average daily dietary food intake of centenarians in Pingyi county par capita is456.89g, including245.07g cereals and tubers, which accounts for61.3-98.0%of the RNI totally. The fruits and vegetables are67.50g, accounting for7.5-13.5%of the RNI. The daily intake of livestock and poultry meat, aquatic food and dairy products account for49.3-73.9%,2.7-5.4%and5.1%of the RNI, respectively. The intake levels of cooking oil and salt are2-5g and0.1-0.4g, respectively, meeting the recommended standard. The daily animal foods intake of centenarians in Pingyi is117.64g, all kinds of animal foods intake is seriously lower than the RNI except eggs. Among the animal foods, livestock and poultry meat intake is36.96g, accounting for49.3-73.9%of the RNI. The intake of aquatic food and dairy products is2.70g and15.41g, accounting for2.7-5.4%and5.1%of the RNI, respectively.6. The average daily energy intake of par capita is5127.79KJ and4394.62KJ for males and females, which is about66.25%and56.78%of the RNI, respectively. The analysis result of macronutrients shows that the average level of protein intake for males and females are42.86g and40.32g, accounting for63.37%and56.77%of RNI, respectively. The average fat intake is29.17g, which accounts for38.9%of the RNI. As for vitamins, the average intake levels of vitamin B1, vitamin B2, nicotinic acid and vitamin E are better compared to the RNI especially vitamin E, which accounts for67.21%of the RNI. The other vitamins, such as vitamin A and vitamin C, are seriously insufficient, only about13.12-28.91%of the RNI on average. For minerals, the average intake levels of Phosphorus, iron and manganese are high, achieving94.54%、76.51% and84.94%of the RNI, respectively. The intake levels of selenium, copper, zinc, magnesium and potassium are relatively low, accounting for57.92%、55.55%、46.85%、47.51%and42.69%of the RNI, respectively. The intake of calcium is seriously insufficient, which only accounts for19.65%of the RNI. The intake level of sodium accounts for18.0of the RNI, and it shows a low-salt diet structure.7. The survey shows that the Pingyi government has incorporated the issue of aging into the local economic and social development plan, built a three-level linkage system of old-age work including county, township and village, formed a three-level management network of old-age work. At present, the Pingyi County has16gerocomiums,821activity places for the aged,280village sports associations for elderly people and35elderly associations established by county authorities with about fifty thousand members. The County Committee on Aging, towns at all levels and each village do a lot of specific and meticulous work for old people’s enjoying their high-quality later years. The elderly are much satisfied with their life in a grumous atmosphere of respecting for the old people.8.92%of the centenarians have filial sons and daughters or other relatives, who care the centenarians’ daily life meticulously, chat with them, and comb hairs and massage for old people. The Clean and neat clothing and bedding, the rich and varied diet, and the comfortable smile on the faces of the elderly, all of these reflect their children’s filial piety. Home based care for the aged is the main endowment pattern in China, which lets old people to live in familiar family environment instead of endowment institutions, thus children and other family members can look after the aged and it is a traditional endowment mode according with China’s national conditions.9.97%of the children of centenarians are in good economic conditions and can fully meet the daily needs of their parents. In addition, each centenarian can get1200-yuan government subsidies that will effectively improve their economic conditions. All the centenarians take part in the new rural cooperative medical care, which makes it possible to provide medical advice and assistance timely and quickly for the centenarians. To a certain extent, the government subsidies and economic supply from children provide a strong material guarantee for the longevity of centenarians.10. Pingyi County possesses beautiful environment, with clean air and picturesque scenery surrounding. Especially the Meng Mountain located within its border, which consists of many even hills, forms a splendid view. Over90%of its hills are covered with forests, and the content of negative oxygen ions is2.2million per cubic centimeter. It has been awarded with "National Forest Park","National Tourist Area for Level4A" and "National Geology Park". Pingyi County owns superior environment, distinct seasons, and small differences in temperature, without extremely high temperature in summer and without extremely low temperature in winter, which is suitable for human to live. Rivers are densely covered in Pingyi, leading to an appropriate humidity. Recently more and more trees have being planted that the whole forest coverage rate has reached34.8%, which does much favor to promote the ecological environment quality and local public health conditions. In September2009the Pingyi People’s Government was rewarded the tablet of "The Research Center for Longevity in Pingyi, China"11. The contents of ferrum, zinc, selenium, copper and manganese in drinking water reach or outmatch the quality standards of Grade Ⅱ for groundwater. The contents of toxicological index, such as lead, mercury, arsenicum and cadmium are at low levels. The pH of the water range from6.86to7.52, and there is no any pollution in the drinking water, fully meeting the health standards of drinking water quality. Compared with the contents of trace elements in drinking water of other longevity regions, ferrum and selenium are basically at the same levels, while the contents of copper, zinc and manganese are higher than other areas. The survey results show that47.7%of the Pingyi centenarians are in excellent health without any disease, and we consider that this phenomenon might have a close relationship with the trace elements in drinking water. Of the44centenarians in Pingyi, only two centenarians suffer from cardiovascular and hypertension diseases and only five centenarians get motor system disease. This may be related to the rich contents of copper and manganese.Conclusion1. Heredity—the vital physiologic basement for longevityFamily longevity is an important physiological basis of longevity for centenarians. The longevity gene provides the inherent advantage for them to live longer than general people do, which is also reflected in the survey on centenarians in Pingyi County. Among87centenarians in Pingyi,63subjects (72.4%) have family history of longevity, in which the relatives of41centenarians (47.1%) reach the age of80-90and the relatives of38centenarians (43.7%) reach the age of90-100. One centenarian has relatives reaching100years old.2. Body, characters and other personality traits—the comparative advantages of themselves33.3%of the centenarians in Pingyi rank first in their brothers and sisters,31.0% of them are the second child in the family,11.5%are the third one and10.3%are the fourth one, which is the congenital advantage. The average height and weight of females are153.0cm and41.9kg, while those of males are163.8cm and48.1kg, respectively. Compared with the average levels of Shandong Province, centenarians in Pingyi have smaller size, which means less energy consumption of metabolism. The survey results show that60.8%of the centenarians have an outgoing personality,20.3%of them belong to introverts, and18.9%belong to a mixed type.45.6%of the centenarians get a good humor,25.3%get an impatient temper, and29.1%belong to a mixed type. People with outgoing personality often tend to be optimistic and enthusiastic, and compared with introverts, they are more relaxed and adept at communicating with others, and thus they are easy to overcome difficulties encountered. In addition, people with a warm temper speak and act slowly, and they have strong self-control and peace mind, which are beneficial for health and longevity.3. Industrious and regular life habit—an important way to be longevousThe survey shows that92.4%of the centenarians lead a regular life, go to bed early and get up early.72.2%of them often take a nap after lunch and sleep in good condition. During the daytime, they do not nod off obviously and often have a good state of mind. Being long engaged in agricultural production activities is another important reason for their longevity. Nearly none of them receives any kind of education and they work as peasants for life long.50.6%of them do farm work until70,21.5%of them do until80, and21.5%do until90.4. Reasonable and diverse diet structure—the nutrient support for longevityThe vast majority of centenarians in Pingyi have three meals regularly with right amount of meat and vegetables and low salt. Most of them are non-picky eaters and eat80%full instead of too full. The main staple foods are wheat and its products, supplemented by rice and maize.36.7%of them like desserts, such as sugar, cookies, cake, and walnut cake. The majority of centenarians in Pingyi like to eat fruits, and the main are apples, bananas and watermelons, which will supply our body with various essential vitamins and minerals.62.0%of the centenarians never smoke and drink, while6.3%of them drink a little occasionally. Good eating habits contribute to the health and longevity of the centenarians. As for vitamins, the average intake levels of vitamin B1, vitamin B2, nicotinic acid and vitamin E are better compared to the RNI especially vitamin E, which accounts for67.21%of the RNI. The other vitamins, such as vitamin A and vitamin C, are seriously insufficient, only about13.12-28.91%of the RNI on average. For minerals, the average intake levels of Phosphorus, iron and manganese are high, achieving94.54%、76.51%and84.94%of the RNI, respectively. The intake levels of selenium, copper, zinc, magnesium and potassium are relatively low, accounting for57.92%,55.55%,46.85%,47.51%and42.69%of the RNI, respectively. The intake of calcium is seriously insufficient, which only accounts for19.65%of the RNI. In addition, due to the higher intake level of phosphorus, the Ca/P ratio of certain individuals is at relatively low levels, which may affect the quality of bones of centenarians. The intake level of sodium accounts for18.0of the RNI, and it shows a low-salt diet structure. The diet intake of manganese and selenium and the low-salt diet should be relevant with the longevity of centenarians in Pingyi. As the intakes of the necessary nutriments of human bodies such as vitamin B1, vitamin B2, nicotinic acid, vitamin E, iron, manganese, selenium, copper, zinc, magnesium and potassium are in a relatively high level, and the average intake of nutriments can account for about50%of the RNI, Given the characteristics of life style of elderly people, we could think that the intake amount of nutrients are sufficient to maintain the life activities of centenarians. If we could increase the intake amount of calcium, vitamin A and vitamin C, the life quality of centenarians may be further improved.5. The local government’s respect for the elderly—the social system circumstance for longevityRespecting and supporting old people is the fine tradition of the Chinese nation. Respecting and loving old people is the footstone of supporting the human civilization building, and is the bond of sustaining social harmony. The Party committee and the government of Pingyi take much count of old-age work. The survey shows that the Pingyi government has incorporated the issue of aging into the local economic and social development plan, built a three-level linkage system of old-age work including county, township and village, formed a three-level management network of old-age work.6. The warm and harmonious family environment—the family environment for longevity92%of the centenarians have filial sons and daughters or other relatives, who care the centenarians’daily life meticulously. Home based care for the aged is the main endowment pattern in China, which lets old people to live in familiar family environment instead of endowment institutions, thus children and other family members can look after the aged, and it is a traditional endowment mode according with China’s national conditions. 7. The government subsidies and economic supply from children—the economic guarantee for longevityThe most important source of income of centenarians in Pingyi is the government subsidies and economic supply from children.97%of the children of centenarians are in good economic conditions and can fully meet the daily needs of their parents. In addition, each centenarian can get1200-yuan government subsidies that will effectively improve their economic conditions. All the centenarians take part in the new rural cooperative medical care, which makes it possible to provide medical advice and assistance timely and quickly for the centenarians.8. The beautiful and pleasant natural environment—the natural environment for longevityPingyi County possesses beautiful environment, with clean air and picturesque scenery surrounding. Especially the Mengshan Mountain located within its border, which consists of many even hills, forms a splendid view. Over90%of its hills are covered with forests, and the content of negative oxygen ions is2.2million per cubic centimeter. It has been awarded with "National Forest Park","National Tourist Area for Level4A" and "National Geology Park". Pingyi County owns superior environment, distinct seasons, and small differences in temperature, without extremely high temperature in summer and without extremely low temperature in winter, which is suitable for human to live. Rivers are densely covered in Pingyi, leading to an appropriate humidity. Recently more and more trees have being planted that the whole forest coverage rate has reached34.8%, which does much favor to promote the ecological environment quality and local public health conditions. The quality of drinking water in Pingyi completely met the requirement of "Sanitary Standard for Drinking Water Quality". The contents of ferrum, zinc, selenium, copper and manganese in drinking water reached or outmatched the quality standards of Grade Ⅱ for groundwater. The contents of toxicological index, such as lead, mercury, arsenicum and cadmium were at low levels. The pH of the water range from6.86to7.52, and there was no any pollution in the drinking water, fully meeting the health standards of drinkina water quality...