Who Wants to Be a Centenarian?

Get Up and Walk Around

Learn their secrets on a YouTube video of the same name by Northwell Health

Imagine living to be 100 years old and enjoying it. Currently, there are only 101,000 centenarians in America.

Thirty years from now that number is estimated to rise to 422,000. Will you be among the 100-year-olds in 2054?

Before we start groaning about not wanting to get that old, with advances in medicine and people living healthier lifestyles, our perception of becoming a centenarian may be skewed. In 1900, the average life expectancy was 47 years old. Now we consider our 40s as middle age.

I’m wondering about potentially living into the triple digits. Grandma Grace born in 1900, died at home four months shy of her 105th birthday. My paternal grandma had a much healthier diet than I practice—no fast food, no soda. She was constantly moving inside the house and around her suburban mini-farm until she was 103 years old and had a fall. Her food was primarily cooked at home with chickens and eggs coming from her hen house and fresh fruits and veggies at every meal. As a kid, I felt awful for the unfortunate turkey who was chosen to star at her Thanksgiving dinner. It is easier to eat a turkey you don’t know personally.

Grandma gifted herself a mink coat & hat for her 70th Bday (1970)

Genetics has a role in living to become a centenarian although healthy habits play an important role. In a May 2023 article in the Ohio State Alumni Magazine, sleeping a minimum of seven hours nightly, not smoking, reducing stress, a healthy diet, having regular checkups, knowing our family health history, and monitoring our brain health for decline are mentioned. The article also recommends moving more and sitting less.

Dr. James Levine at Mayo Clinic in Arizona is credited with popularizing the phrase, “sitting is the new smoking.” Edward Laskowski, M.D. authored the 2022 article, “What are the risks of sitting too much?” he explains, “Too much sitting overall and prolonged periods of sitting also seem to increase the risk of death from cardiovascular disease and cancer,” This includes sitting behind the wheel of a vehicle, at a desk, or in front of a (laptop or television) screen.

People who primarily sit at work have a 16% higher risk of mortality from all causes and a 34% higher risk of mortality from cardiovascular disease. The CDC recommends desk workers engage in moderate to high-intensity exercise 22 minutes a day. Their recommendation for sedentary individuals is some exercise is better than none and not to be intimidated—start where you are and consider your current level of fitness.

Let’s stand up, move around and improve our chances of becoming a happy, healthy centenarian!