Human Longevity

<FONT face=Times New Roman><P>Two thousand years ago the average life expectancy from birth to death of a Roman citizen an individual better off than most people at that time was about 22 years (wars infectious diseases trauma etc.). This progressively increased to about 47 years in the U.S. and most European countries by 1900. Today the average life expectancy in the U.S. is 78 years (women about five years more than men). However unless the obesity pandemic is reversed and lifestyles improved the average life expectancy will likely decrease significantly. conversely if our lifestyles improve the average life expectancy could reach 85 or more years. </P><P>Growing older does not necessarily mean growing sicker. Thus don't just add years to your life add life to your years (Hans Selve). Indeed of the 15 major causes of death in the U.S. 65-70% are lifestyle-related. In this book the following documented topics that are associated with diseases and mortality are discussed in detail: theories of aging; diseases and mortality associated with obesity physical inactivity and poor nutrition; psychological stress (anxiety depression); addiction (alcohol tobacco drugs); violence (suicide homicide); food-borne and infectious diseases (viral bacterial parasitic); and various other conditions (air pollution asbestosis trace metals). </P><P></P></FONT>