Health and Function in the Long Life Family Study
Author Information
Author(s): Anne B. Newman, Nancy W. Glynn, Christopher A. Taylor, Paola Sebastiani, Thomas T. Perls, Richard Mayeux, Kaare Christensen, Joseph M. Zmuda, Sandra Barral, Joseph H. Lee, Eleanor M. Simonsick, Jeremy D. Walston, Anatoli I. Yashin, Evan Hadley
Primary Institution: University of Pittsburgh, Graduate School of Public Health
Hypothesis
Does targeting families with exceptional longevity result in better health and function among their members compared to other cohorts?
Conclusion
Participants in the Long Life Family Study exhibited better health and function compared to individuals from other cohorts.
Supporting Evidence
- LLFS participants had lower prevalence of diabetes and chronic diseases compared to other cohorts.
- Physical and cognitive functions were better in LLFS participants.
- LLFS participants showed lower triglycerides and higher HDL cholesterol levels.
Takeaway
The study looked at families known for living a long time and found they were generally healthier and functioned better than others.
Methodology
The study compared health and function of 4559 individuals from the Long Life Family Study with other cohorts using various health metrics.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to the exclusion of individuals with active cancer treatment and reliance on self-reported health data.
Limitations
The study's findings may be influenced by differences in protocols and potential birth cohort effects.
Participant Demographics
The cohort included probands, siblings, offspring, and spouse controls, with a mean age of 72.5 years and a majority being white.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.0001
Statistical Significance
p<0.0001
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website