Gerontology, Blue Zones, Lifestyles and Exercises - Essay Example

Gerontology Introduction Blue zones are locations where demographic trends show longer life expectancies due high number of individuals who live above the ages of a 100 years (Wilmoth 2007). Most of these zones are cut off from modernization. Research results have been presented through different methods that include books, documentaries, articles, and websites. However, the essay will focus mainly on the scholarly work of three authors and their contribution to the exposure of the blue zones globally. Additionally, it will also help in the comprehension of lifestyles and major characteristics of their existence. The authors include, Dan Buettner, Sally Beare and Howard S. Friedman. They have applied both different and similar ideologies in their work. Health Based on health, the authors have different views on the fitness of the individuals in the blue zones. However, they have a common understanding where they believe that health depends on individual body fitness and genetic structures. Sally has done her research on the in habitats on the island by the name Okinawa, located in Eastern China (Beare 2006). She compares and contrasts the health her research samples with those from the Western countries. The island holds a record of the longest living persons in earth. She starts by comparing their physical attributes with those of the Western in habitats. Her results show that signs of healthy lifestyles before she gets into deeper research about the diseases found in the island (Beare 2006). Unlike the West where stroke, heart attacks and cancer related deaths are common, her area of study has less than 20% cases. Most diseases are so rare among the populations raising questions on the causes of the increased health cases. Scientists involved in the research have come up with results that show the strong immune systems found in the old generations. Sally related their strength to those of the young generations where that are able to fight most deadly diseases. Dan, on the other hand, has carried out most of his researches in Central and South America in some of the indigenous communities. However, his focus is on other attributes that contribute to long living other than health (Buettner 2007). For example, his study on Costa Rica reveals the physical lifestyles where his focal point is social ways of life such as how they cook their food and diet compositions (Buettner 2007). With his knowledge from other blue zones, she has come up with different myths that are common in people from other countries such as the U.S. The cultures use traditional herbs and roots from specific plants for medicinal purposes. As compared to modern medicines, they have different chemical compounds that do not lead to dangerous side effects such as cancer. Up to date, they have not accepted technologically produced medicines Howard in his work has started by criticizing biased sources on their view and myths on longevity living (Friedman and Martin 2011). He has focused on individual living and its impacts. To eliminate bias, most of his researches have been done on individuals throughout their life cycles. The process includes monitoring samples as soon as they are born and their health that contributes to healthy living. His results show that individuals have different strains of DNA that fight against diseases eliminating cases of lethal disorders. According to him, most of the individuals were born long before medical practitioners had come up with health eating. His research has based most of the results on luck. Samples used in the study reveal that diseases such as flu are prevented by luck (Friedman and Martin 2011). As a result, healthy individuals would get the flu while the weak would somehow be immune to the disease. Diets Sally in her book has revealed secrets of long living by emphasizing on the impacts of diets on long living. The Okinawans have traditional diets that have been passed on through generations. They include soy, fish, whole grains, fresh fruits, and vegetables among others. As compared to the West where fast foods dominate, the traditional diets contain multifarious chemical compositions that do not affect the individual health. Additionally, her results show that the foods lead to better sexual health and stamina that ensures the passing on of genes through generations (Beare 2006). Despite the contradiction from scientists on the meals that should be consumed, the individuals have continued consuming traditional foods with the belief that they will boost their health. Additionally, their foods are natural and do not contain chemicals as compared to those in the modern world. For example, their foods do not contain cholesterol that contributes to most heart attacks in the U.S. Sallys interest is also on a species of food that is believed to contain anti-aging oxidants. However, scholars argue that the oxidants only prevent aging but do not lead to long lives. They try to explain the difference between prevention and causes for aging (Beare 2006). Dan has contributed to the National Geographic society website that reveals the different diets consumed in the blue zones. The Nicoyan culture in Costa Rica has proved to provide most demographics with individual with 90-100 years (Buettner 2012). Their foods are freshly picked from cultivated farms or jungles that provide rich foods. He has tried to understand how they came up with balanced diets that surpass those of modern scientists. The foods also enhance immune systems leading to the prevention of common diseases such as flu (Buettner 2012). Howard, on his project on Patricia and John, has come up with results that reveal the consequences of eating unhealthy foods. Since he has most of students on Californian residents have perpetrated his study, he can show the difference in health caused by consumption of fast foods (Friedman and Martin 2011). His results also reveal high cases of obesity in the U.S where individual consume meals rich in starch and fat. Most fast foods include fries and burgers that can be easily accessed and devoured at any time of the day. Individuals in blue zones are not open to such foods hence contributing positively to their health. Most of the obese fatalities are caused by heart attacks where patients die at young ages. Lifestyles and exercises Sally has diversified her research on the different ways of life of the Okinawans. She has moved her centre of interest on the different social activities conducted in the community. Activities include those that benefit both the society and individuals. To ensure steady supplies of balanced diets, individuals have to work in farms most of the times (Beare 2006). Farm work includes cultivation, planting and provision of manure that help in body fitness. Other activities such as fishing require a fast and rational mind (Beare 2006). Economic activities include the sale of excess harvest. Such activities ensured body fitness in both genders. The activities would continue until when one was old leading to a stable process of keeping fit. These lifestyles have a positive impact to the Okinawans leading to increased life expectancies. Dan has also come up with similar lifestyles where individuals have not embraced modernization. Activities resemble those found in other radical cultures. They ensure body fitness through role allocations. The blue zones have roles assigned to all individuals in the society despite their gender and age (Buettner 2012). In most cases, roles allocated to children undergo transition as they grow old keeping them occupied at all times. Families in these regions do not rely on external aid to get food and economic stability. It is through these activities that individuals check on their wealth unlike in the modern society that solely depend on technology. A similar finding to that of Sally is that technology has not been adopted in these areas. Exercises are part of the social activities where individual have to participate in doings such as drum beating and warrior fighting. Finally, Howard has a different ideology on the lifestyles. He claims that keeping fit through exercises is just a part of the whole process on longevity living. For example, one cannot keep fit and at the same time eat fast foods. He has condemned the laziness that is common in most modern day societies (Friedman and Martin 2011). Technology has had severe consequences where kids are prone to suffer from obesity due to TV shows and video games. They overeat without enough exercise leading to heart complications. In the blue zones, individual have accepted to eating enough food without the need for overeating. Meals are also consumed at pre-planned period and eating in between meals is forbidden. His 1500 individuals sample has show that lack of exercises has contributed to unhealthy living and early deaths in most Western countries. Stresses and family lifestyles Families are finding it hard to survive in the modern society. Stress and different personal preferences from divorces have led to depression that has caused premature deaths. Sally collected data from most families in the blue zones leading to different assumptions in her results. The Okinawans have had very low rates of divorce due to the various cultural ties that bind them. Both genders are supposed to treat each other with respect. It has led to happy families that have encouraged the sharing of chores. Lack of stress has contributed to the long lives indicated in these areas. In his website, Dan has revealed that strong family ties, low stress, plenty of sleep and spiritual lives contribute to long life cycles (Buettner 2012). However, the ideology has different approaches as compared to the other principles because it cannot be measured. He has argued that stress cannot be measured but depends on individual perspectives. Societies with increased cases of stress have low life expectancies since individuals suffering from depression do not live for long. Howard has described different stresses that affect modern day families and are not found in blue zones. Chronic stress may be caused by variances in personality among parents and affects individual health. Since most of his study is done on Americans, he has experienced various cases of divorce that have led to stress and change in lifestyles (Friedman and Martin 2011). Criticism Due to the divergence in researches approaches, scholars have come up with different characteristics of the blue zones. As a result, critics have opposed most of the ideas claiming that there is intervention of other forces such as spirits that help individuals in the blue zones. Scientists too have come up with new ideas to help prevent early deaths through change in diets, health and anti-aging pills. However, critics argue that aging can only be slowed but not prevented. Finally, with all the efforts from doctors and scientists, there are no blue zones in the modern societies. Conclusion Despite new ideas from scholars, no new blue zones have been discovered in societies that are open to globalization (Slatalla 2008). Higher life expectancies can only be found in radical societies that are resistant to chance. The advancement in technology has led to changes in the health, nutrition, and fitness sectors leading to lower possibilities of longevity (Hub 2009). References Beare, S. (2006). 50 secrets of the worlds longest living people (Rev., expanded ed.). New York: Marlowe & Co.. Blackburn, J. A., & Dulmus, C. N. (2007). Handbook of gerontology evidence-based approaches to theory, practice, and policy. Hoboken, N.J.: Wiley. Buettner, D. (2007, February 2). Report from the Blue Zone: Why Do People Live Long in Costa Rica?. ABC News. Retrieved May 16, 2014, from http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/LivingLonger/story?id=2843049&page=1 Buettner, D. (2012, October 27). The Island Where People Forget to Die. The New York Times. Retrieved May 16, 2014, from http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/28/magazine/the-island-where-people-forget-to-die.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0 Buettner, D. (2008). The blue zone: lessons for living longer from the people whove lived the longest. Washington, D.C.: National Geographic. Buettner, D. (2011). Thrive: finding happiness the Blue Zones way. Washington, D.C.: National Geographic. Friedman, H. S., & Martin, L. R. (2011). The Longevity Project: surprising discoveries for health and long life from the landmark eight-decade study. London: Hay House. Hub, S. (2009, July 20). Blue Zones - Places In the World Where People Live to 100 and Stay Healthy. Singularity Hub. Retrieved May 16, 2014, from http://singularityhub.com/2009/07/20/blue-zones-places-in-the-world-where-people-live-to-100-and-stay-healthy/ Slatalla, M. (2008, April 23). How to Live Longer Without Really Trying. The New York Times. Retrieved May 16, 2014, from http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/24/fashion/24CYBER.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0 Wilmoth, J. M. (2007). Gerontology perspectives and issues (3rd ed.). New York: Springer Pub. Read More