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Mediterranean Diet and Healthy Lifestyle Associated With Lower Death RatesKnoops K, de Groot L, Kromhout D, et al: Mediterranean Diet, Lifestyle Factors, and 10-year Mortality in Elderly European Men and Women. The HALE Project. JAMA 292:1433-1439, 2004. What is the problem and what is known about it so far?These days, people are living longer than ever before. More than 580 million people worldwide are older than 60. That number is expected to grow by 100 million by the year 2020. In developed countries, 75% of deaths in people over age 65 are caused by cardiovascular disease (CVD, disease of the heart and blood vessels) and cancer. Eating healthy foods and living a healthy lifestyle can help people live better and longer. Some studies have suggested that a Mediterranean diet is good for your heart and helps keep your weight in a normal range. A Mediterranean diet includes foods like whole grains, avocados, fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts, and seeds. Researchers wanted to find out whether illness and death were related to diet and lifestyle factors such as smoking, alcohol use, and physical activity. Who was studied?Researchers looked at 1,507 men and 832 women aged 70-90 years who were all healthy at the beginning of the study. The study took place in 11 European countries (including Italy, Finland, and the Netherlands) between 1988 and 2000. How was the study done?The study was completed by a survey in Europe, which included interview questions on what participants ate; if they smoked; how much exercise they got; their level of education ; what kind of job they had; if they had coronary heart disease, diabetes or cancer; and if they took medicine for high blood pressure. What did the researchers find?Following a Mediterranean-style diet, consuming moderate amounts of alcohol, being physically active, and non-smoking were linked to a lower risk of death. What were the limitations of the study?The information in the surveys was self-reported and may have been inaccurate. What are the implications of the study?For people 70-90 years old, maintaining a Mediterranean diet and a healthy lifestyle was linked to a more than 50% lower risk of death. |
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