Six indicators for healthy, long life

THE Yuletide is here again! It is a period when people are more likely to overindulge and be inactive, which are associated with low life expectancy.

However, researchers have identified six indicators that can ensure a healthier and longer life by helping Nigerians calculate the number of years they are likely to live and enable them to make adjustments.

They argue that if Nigerians adhere to the formula, Wheel of Life, it will help reverse the low life expectancy in the country.

The six indicators to better life expectancy contained in the Wheel of Life, according to a consultant obstetric and gynaecologist, Dr. Ejike Oji, are state of health, financial health, spousal health, level of exercise, job satisfaction, society responsibility and spiritual health.

The average life expectancy of Nigerians is 46.9, which is 30 per cent below world average. Japan has the highest life expectancy of 82.6 and Swaziland the worst with 39.6, according to the United Nations.

The life expectancy at birth of the world is 67.2 years (65.0 years for males and 69.5 years for females) for 2005?2010, according to United Nations World Population Prospects 2006 Revision and 66.57 years (64.52 years for males and 68.76 years for females) for 2009 according to CIA World Factbook 2009.

Life expectancy from birth is a frequently utilised and analysed component of demographic data for the countries of the world. It represents the average life span of a newborn and is an indicator of the overall health of a country.

Life expectancy can fall due to problems like famine, war, disease and poor health. Improvements in health and welfare increase life expectancy. The higher the life expectancy, the better shape a country is in.

Oji, who is also the Country Director of Ipas Nigeria, an international non governmental organisation involve in women and reproductive health rights, told The Guardian,     
?the key to healthy long life is in perfecting the wheel of life. The wheel of life is like a wheel or circle with six equal parts.

?The wheel, which represents human life can only move well in order words function properly when all the six parts are equally optimal in their constitution and function.

If there is any problem with any of the parts, the wheel will not be able to move properly, that is life will not be able to function well, which will lead to disability and/or death.?

The medical doctor said the state of health, which involves physical and mental health is crucial.

?To ensure good state of health Nigerians especially adults show regularly go for diabetes test, kidney function test, eye test, heart checks, pap smear for cervical cancer in women, Prostate Seminal Antigen (PSA) for prostate cancer in men,? he said.

Oji further explained, ?another important component of the wheel of life is financial health, that is the ability to pay basic bills in life. One important connection between health and personal finances is life expectancy.

Life expectancy is the remaining number of years that someone is expected to live.

?The longer people live, the higher their projected life expectancy. People, who practice healthy behaviours, such as not smoking, exercising regularly, and eating healthy foods, increase their chances of living a long life.      

?The health of your spouse if you are married is a big indicator. How much quality time do you spend with your wife? Very important factor is your level of exercise, 25 to 30 minutes of exercise preferably walking at least three times weekly has cardiovascular and musco-skeletal benefits.

?Job satisfaction is crucial because anything that makes you unhappy makes the body to release adrenalin. Adrenalin attacks the heart. Sustained adrenalin weakens the heart.

But endorphins is released during exercise, after good sex, satisfaction, dancing. Endorphins protect the heart.

?Social responsibility? Are you part of your community? Do you attend their meetings and help those in need? Relating well with people in your immediate environment is good for optimal health.

Then spiritual health, are you at peace with God? Fellowship, fasting and prayer have been shown to boost the immune system, prolong life.?

Oji?s assertion is supported by several studies. According to a study published in the American Psychiatric Association?s Psychiatric Services journal, people with serious mental illness are more likely to die below average life expectancy, and to die at an earlier age, than are people without serious mental illness.

That mental illness often results in premature mortality is not a new observation.      

However, researchers in Ohio United States of America (U.S.A.) have taken a closer look to try and determine what factors may contribute to this disparity, which causes of death are most prevalent for people struggling with mental illness, and how this information might be used to increase life expectancy and treatment of patients.

Researchers wanted to measure the years of potential life lost (YPLL) of the general population as compared to individuals within that population, who were dealing with mental health issues.

They focused on Akron, Ohio, and compared the death records of over 16,000 residents. Of those, 647 people were receiving services from the local mental health center for persistent and serious mental illnesses.

Those receiving services had an average age at death of 73.4 years old, compared to the general population, whose average age at death was 79.6 years.

After adjusting for other factors, it was determined that people dealing with serious mental illness missed out on 14.5 YPLL, and the general population missed out on 10.3 YPLL. For both groups, heart disease was the leading causes of death, but people with mental illness were also more likely to die from liver disease, cancer, and septicemia, as well as, unnatural causes such as accidents, assault and suicide.

According to a study published in Archives of Internal Medicine, even moderate physical activity helps people live longer and healthier lives.

People age 50 and older, who engage in moderate or high levels of physical activity live longer and have less heart disease, according to a study that followed a group of men and women for

more than 40 years.

The study authors report that total life expectancy increased as levels of physical activity increased.

For men 50 years or older, moderate physical activity levels led to 1.3 years more in total life expectancy and 1.1 years lived without cardiovascular disease, and high levels of physical activity added 3.7 years to life expectancy and 3.2 more years lived without cardiovascular disease.

For women 50 years or older, moderate physical activity levels led to 1.5 years more in total life expectancy, and 1.3 more years lived without cardiovascular disease; and high levels of physical activity added 3.5 years to total life expectancy, and 3.3 more years lived free of cardiovascular disease.

?This study shows that higher levels of physical activity not only prolong total life expectancy but also life expectancy free of cardiovascular disease at age 50 years,? researchers reported.

?This effect is already seen at moderate levels of physical activity, and the gains in cardiovascular disease-free life expectancy at higher levels are more than twice as large.?

The study was adjusted for age, sex, smoking habits, and coexisting diseases, including cancer, arthritis, diabetes, left ventricular hypertrophy (enlargement of the left pumping chamber of the heart), ankle edema, and pulmonary (lung) disease.

The study authors recommend that everyone would benefit from adopting an active lifestyle, and that even moderate levels of activity will help people enjoy a healthier and longer life.

As they report, ?our study suggests that following an active lifestyle is an effective way to achieve healthy aging.?

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