Lifestyle Makes a Difference Even at 75yo

A fascinating study was published in the BMJ last week.  The authors enrolled 1,810 adults who were at least 75yo at the time of study entry and followed them for up to 18yrs.  Not surprisingly, over 90% were dead by the end of the almost 2 decade long study but it should be noted that on average they were just shy of 90yo.  And of that 10% or so still living, the average age was 96yo!

So what makes a difference even in old age?  Continued smoking cut a year off life expectancy compared to non-smokers.  Regular physical activity was associated w/2yrs longer life compared to the physically inert.  The combination of healthy lifestyle, physical activity (or some other leisure activity), and a moderate-to-rich social network was associated w/more than 5yrs longer life compared to their polar opposites.  Even in the old-old, those >85yo, that winning combination was worth an extra 4yrs compared to their polar opposites.

Bottom line: it's never too late to improve your life(style) for the better.  You'll continue to reap benefits upwards of 2 decades latter.

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