Healthy Ageing

Healthy lifestyle increases life expectancy in Rotterdam

Meyken Houppermans, PhD. CrossFit Level 3 Trainer.
Founder and Head Coach
Long-term scientific research in Rotterdam shows: Exercise, a healthy diet and not smoking can delay the onset of heart failure, diabetes, cancer, and dementia by 9 years.

The research was carried out under 9061 inhabitants of Rotterdam of 45 years and older, in the period July 1989 to January 2012. The group existed for 40% of men and 60% of women. The average age was 64 years. All participants were healthy at the start of the research. None suffered from a stroke, heart failure, diabetes, COPD, cancer or a neurodegenerative disease such as dementia. (Exercise and nutrition can prevent early dementia)

During this long- term research, 90% of participants were diagnosed with a non-communicable disease. At least 30% with more than one disease.

The three major health risks are:

- Smoking

- High blood pressure

- Excess body weight (BMI > 25).

By preventing these risks and living a healthy lifestyle, the onset of non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and obesity, can be delayed by 9 years. Furthermore, life expectancy increases significantly.

Create your own health!©

References

Licher S, Heshmatollah A, van der Willik KD, Stricker BHC, Ruiter R, de Roos EW, Lahousse L, Koudstaal PJ, Hofman A, Fani L, Brusselle GGO, Bos D, Arshi B, Kavousi M, Leening MJG, Ikram MK, Ikram MA. Lifetime risk and multimorbidity of non-communicable diseases and disease-free life expectancy in the general population: A population-based cohort study. PLoS Med. 2019 Feb 4;16(2):e1002741. doi: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1002741. PMID: 30716101; PMCID: PMC6361416.