Dietary Patterns of Nicoyan Centenarians: A Comparison with Younger Generations and Urban Counterparts
Nicoyan centenarians, inhabitants of Costa Rica's Nicoya Peninsula, are renowned for their exceptional longevity. Recent research comparing their dietary habits with those of their younger relatives and urban dwellers reveals some intriguing patterns. Centenarians tend to maintain a diet characterized by greater diversity and quality, including higher consumption of dairy and a variety of fruits. These dietary practices are linked with healthier anthropometric and biochemical profiles, suggesting a significant role in their longevity.
The study assessed 120 adults, spanning three generations, including the centenarians, their children, and grandchildren. The analysis highlighted that, unlike their descendants, centenarians exhibited lower rates of excess weight and central adiposity and maintained better lipid and glycemic profiles. This evidence underscores the impact of sustained healthy eating habits over a lifetime on overall health and longevity.
This research provides valuable insights into the dietary factors contributing to the longevity of Nicoyan centenarians. It suggests that the richness and diversity of their diet may play a crucial role in promoting healthier aging, offering a model worthy of deeper exploration and potentially guiding public health recommendations in other regions.
Article Information
Dietary diversity, anthropometric status and biochemical profile of centenarians of the Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica, and their offspring
Published in Revista Española de Geriatría y Gerontología, Georgina Gómez Salas et al.
Abstract
Background and objective: Social relationships, physical activity and diet have been proposed as responsible for longevity; however, many of these conditions have changed in modern societies. The objective of this study was to identify if the anthropometric status, biochemical profile and diet of Nicoyan centenarians is different from that of their decency and if the quality and diversity of the diet of these Costa Ricans differs from that of adults from urban areas of the same country.
Materials and methods: Anthropometric, biochemical and dietary assessments were carried out on 120 adults residing in the Nicoya Peninsula, including centenarians, their children and grandchildren. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.
Results: There is a significantly lower percentage of excess weight, central adiposity and blood lipids in Nicoyan centenarians compared to their children and grandchildren. The consumption of «Dairy» and «Other fruits» is higher in centenarians than in their descendants. Centenarians showed a higher dietary diversity index (DDI) compared to other age categories, and they also showed a higher DDI and a significantly more diverse diet than the urban population of Costa Rica.
Conclusion: Nicoyan centenarians presented a better lipid and glycemic profile than their offspring, they have lower weight and a better quality and diversity of diet than their relatives and than adults from the urban area of Costa Rica.
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