4 Keys to Longevity

There's an article in USA Today that talks about National Geographic Explorer Dan Buettner's new book, "The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer From the People Who've Lived the Longest." Buettner traveled to Sardinia, Italy, Costa Rica and the Greek island Ikaria, the latter destination "where people nap often and enjoy regular festivals, sometimes five in one week."

Buettner and his colleagues took what they learned from their journeys to a little town in the Midwest, Albert Lea, Minnesota. Their goal was to help the residents there "live longer, better." Albert Lea, a town of 18,000, has some health issues: about 40% of its residents are overweight, and close to 30% have hypertension. The town was chosen among several others because its residents were most motivated to change.

The project's strategy: eat more fruits and vegetables, walk instead of drive, stay productive and social well into old age, and seek inner fulfillment.

The six-month-long strategy to transform the town was broken down into a four-pronged attack:

-Community environment. Creating more bike paths, garden plots, a new farmer's market.
-Social groups. Forming walk, biking clubs.
-Home and work habitats. Revamping school and business cafeterias, grocery stores and restaurants.
-Building the inner self. Motivational seminars.

So far, 20% of residents have signed on. The original goal was 10%.

The whole idea, says Buettner, is based around research that shows about 20% of our longevity is linked to genetics, whereas 80% is environmentally influenced.