Demographic, phenotypic, and genetic characteristics of centenarians in Okinawa and Japan: Part 1—centenarians in Okinawa

Demographic, phenotypic, and genetic characteristics of centenarians in Okinawa and Japan: Part 1—centenarians in Okinawa. Bradley J. Willcox, Donald Craig Willcox, Makoto Suzuki. Mechanisms of Ageing and Development, Volume 165, Part B, July 2017, Pages 75-79, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mad.2016.11.001

Highlights
•    Okinawa has among the longest lifespans and highest prevalence rates of centenarians in the world − greater than 85% are female.
•    The Okinawan centenarian phenotype is typically shorter, leaner, has less prevalent age-related disease, and healthier metabolic profiles than other Japanese.
•    Despite consumption of a diet consistent with natural caloric restriction, which likely contributed to the longevity phenotype, Okinawans are also genetically distinct from other Asian populations.
•    The relative contribution of environment versus genetics to the longevity phenotype in Okinawa is still under investigation.

Abstract: A study of elderly Okinawans has been carried out by the Okinawa Centenarian Study (OCS) research group for over four decades. The OCS began in 1975 as a population-based study of centenarians (99-year-olds and older) and other selected elderly persons residing in the main island of the Japanese prefecture of Okinawa. As of 2015, over 1000 centenarians have been examined. By several measures of health and longevity the Okinawans can claim to be the world’s healthiest and longest-lived people. In this paper we explore the demographic, phenotypic, and genetic characteristics of this fascinating population.