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Description of Lifestyle, Including Social Life, Diet and Physical Activity, of People ≥90 years Living in Ikaria, a Longevity Blue Zone

Author

Listed:
  • Romain Legrand

    (“Pôle Personnes Âgées”, Hospital of Champmaillot, University Hospital, 21079 Dijon, France)

  • Gilles Nuemi

    (Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, François Mitterrand Hospital, University Hospital, 21079 Dijon, France)

  • Michel Poulain

    (Institute for the Analysis of Change in Historical and Contemporary Societies (IACCHOS), Université Catholique de Louvain, 1348 Ottignies-Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
    Estonian Institute for Population Studies, Tallinn University, 10120 Tallinn, Estonia)

  • Patrick Manckoundia

    (“Pôle Personnes Âgées”, Hospital of Champmaillot, University Hospital, 21079 Dijon, France
    INSERM U-1093, Cognition, Action and Sensorimotor Plasticity, University of Burgundy Franche-Comté, 21000 Dijon, France)

Abstract

A cross-sectional observational study was conducted to describe the lifestyle of people ≥90 years, living in Evdilos or Raches, two municipalities of the Greek island of Ikaria, classified a longevity blue zone. The 71 participants were interviewed and underwent the Mediterranean Islands study food frequency questionnaire (MEDIS-FFQ) and the international physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ). The frequency of social contacts was daily for 77.9% of participants, weekly for 16.1%, and monthly for 5.9%. Most participants (90.0%) believed in God, and 81.4% took part in religious events. A total of 62.0% attended Panigiria festivals. Access to primary health care was considered difficult in the past for 66.2% of participants, while 22.1% felt that it remained difficult at the time of the survey. The level of adherence to the Mediterranean diet was 62.7% (61.6% in women and 64.0% in men). Physical activity levels were moderate or high for 71.8% of participants (59.5% of women and 85.3% of men). In conclusion, the participants had a very high level of family solidarity, social interaction and physical activity. The results concerning the Mediterranean diet are less convincing. It would be interesting to study the impact of these factors on the longevity of the oldest old aged people living in Ikaria.

Suggested Citation

  • Romain Legrand & Gilles Nuemi & Michel Poulain & Patrick Manckoundia, 2021. "Description of Lifestyle, Including Social Life, Diet and Physical Activity, of People ≥90 years Living in Ikaria, a Longevity Blue Zone," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(12), pages 1-11, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:12:p:6602-:d:577927
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