Blue Zones

In 2004 Dan Buettner wrote a NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC cover story about the "Secrets of Long Life" which led to that issue becoming one of their top selling of all time. In 2008 Buettner expanded this theme in a best selling book The Blue Zones which examined lifestyles in four areas of the world (parts of Sardinia, Okinawa, Costa Rica and California) with populations who had many long lived people and high average life expectancy. In each area scholars had confirmed the accuracy of age records and looked at possible factors for the longevity which was not genetic since genetically similar groups of people in other areas did not have such long lives.

Buettner identified commonalities in all these areas:

     A whole food plant based diet which included little dairy, meat or seafood

     An active lifestyle with daily physical activity

     Strong family and community support 

     Minimizining stress

     Having a life purpose and spirituality

Buettner was so impressed with what he discovered writing the article and book that he organized The Blue Zones Project, an attempt to create areas of healthiness and longevity. Individuals, community leaders, churches, businesses, schools, restaurants and grocery stores are recruited to improve the lifestyle of all in the community. Nine areas in the United States with millions of people now participate including Fort Worth, Texas; Southwest Florida; and Hawaii. Areas with the longest history in the program are seeing success in weight loss and other health markers as well as student attendance and academics.

Man is a social animal who responds to family, friends and community. Enlisting community support to improve lifestyle and thereby health, quality of life and longevity is an exciting goal which Buettner and his colleagues seem to accomplishing.