Leisure World Cohort Study

The Leisure World Cohort Study is a population-based longitudinal epidemiological study of health promotion and disease prevention in older adults.

The Leisure World Cohort Study was established in 1981 to investigate the risks and benefits of estrogen replacement and the effects of lifestyle factors (especially those modifiable by personal decision making) on longevity. Nearly 14,000 residents of Leisure World Laguna Hills (as it was then called) completed a postal health survey (at a median age of 74 years) and agreed to long-term follow-up. Now, 40 years later, we continue to collect mortality data.

 What are the most important things the people in this study did to increase their longevity? 

• Smoking ‒ don’t do it; stop if you do.
• Physical activity ‒ get exercise; even a little each day is beneficial.
• Weight ‒ don’t be too fat or too thin, and don’t be overweight in young adulthood.
• Brush your teeth and floss ‒ good teeth and good health really do go together. Smile!
• Other leisure activities (less physically demanding, e.g. reading, gardening, crafts, board games, attending theater/sporting events) ‒ engagement in these “social” and “productive” activities is also beneficial.
• Positive mental attitude ‒ a poor attitude increases risk of death.
• Caffeine (from coffee, tea, soft drinks, and chocolate) ‒ a moderate amount lowers risk of death.
• Alcohol ‒ a moderate amount appears to be okay; don’t drink a lot or binge.
• Vitamin supplements ‒ should not be used to replace a nutritionally adequate diet. A healthful diet is characterized by high amounts of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and fish. Excess water-soluble vitamins are excreted in the urine (and hence a waste of money) and excess fat-soluble vitamins are stored, but dangerous levels can build up.

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

 Practice the above to help prevent several chronic diseases (including high blood pressure, angina, heart attack, stroke, diabetes, and cancer) and increase your longevity.