Gerontology, Blue zones, Dan Buettner, Sally Beare
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). Studies from different scholars have exposed these zones whereby most of them 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.
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.
[...] 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. [...]
[...] 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. [...]
[...] 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. [...]
[...] 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. [...]
[...] Singularity Hub. Retrieved May 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 from http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/24/fashion/24CYBER.html?pagewanted=all& Wilmoth, J. M. (2007). Gerontology perspectives and issues (3rd ed.). New York: Springer Pub. [...]
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