On Wed, 7 Oct 1998, Ray Audette wrote:

> The first study was done of 100 year olds in the U.S, the second was
> worldwide.  The second was done according to Prof. Johnson because
> the first results were so unbelievable.  Both found high consumption of
> saturated animal fats to be the only major difference between these
> very old people and others.

This is perhaps misleading.  What Prof. Johnson et al. wrote was
that centenarians *avoided low-fat diets*, but other differences
were noted as well, such as increased consumption of grains and
dairy.

Todd Moody
[log in to unmask]


J Nutr Elder 1994;13(4):5-23

Individual foods and food group patterns of the oldest old.

Houston DK, Johnson MA, Poon LW, Clayton GM

This study compares the dietary patterns of centenarians (n = 85)
with sexagenarians (n = 76) and octogenarians (n = 83). A Daily
Diet Diary was developed to code the responses of the 24-hour
dietary recalls. Centenarians and octogenarians consumed a more
varied (P < 0.05) diet, with higher (P < 0.01) consumption
frequencies of milk and grains, and fewer (P < 0.01) skipped
breakfasts than sexagenarians. However, centenarians also
consumed high fat foods (P < 0.01), such as whole milk and
biscuits, and coffee (P < 0.5) more frequently than the two
younger cohorts. Several of the variations found in the food
patterns among the three age groups may reflect cohort
differences, rather than true antecedents for longevity.

UI: 95131362



Int J Aging Hum Dev 1992;34(1):57-76
Nutritional patterns of centenarians.

Johnson MA, Brown MA, Poon LW, Martin P, Clayton GM

University of Georgia, Athens.

This study compares the dietary patterns of centenarians (n = 24)
with elderly adults in their sixties (n = 54) and eighties (n =
47). Compared to the younger cohorts, centenarians consumed
breakfast more regularly, avoided weight loss diets and large
fluctuations in body weight, consumed slightly more vegetables,
and relied on their doctor and family more than on the news media
for nutrition information. On the other hand, centenarians were
less likely to consume diets low in fat and to comply with
nutritional guidelines designed to reduce the risk of chronic
disease. Elderly black men consumed diets higher in sweets and
fat compared to black women and white men and women. Nearly three
times as many blacks expressed the desire to eat more
nutritiously. High nutrition risks, particularly in blacks, were
associated with lower physical and mental health and impaired
activities of daily living.

UI: 92147253