Secrets of a long life - Text 2

Secrets of a long life

A A hundred years ago, not many people lived into their seventies. Today it is fairly common to do so in developed countries. But on the Japanese island of Okinawa, people live longer than anywhere else in the world, with an average life expectancy of 81,2 years. Many people on Okinawa live to be over 100 years old – the highest ratio of centenarians per head of population in the world. And they just do not live longer, they live better.

B So what’s the Okinawan secret? So far all the findings indicate that lifestyle, not genetic factors, is largely responsible.

C Okinawans eat a traditional diet of soya, fruit, and vegetables. They consume a lot of fish, such as tuna, mackerel, and salmon, which are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, and help reduce the risk of heart disease and breast cancer. They don’t eat a lot of red meat, and their diet is low in fats. Many elderly Okinawans also live by the motto ‘Eat until you are 80% full‘, and this helps them to control portion sizes.

D Elderly Okinawans enjoy walking, gardening, and T’ai Chi, and often work long after the usual age of retirement in Western countries. Interviews with elderly Okinawans reveal that they are optimistic, adaptable, and easygoing. They have strong religious beliefs, which give them comfort and support. They have a valued role in society and the family, and they are respected for their wisdom and experience of life.

E Most of them belong to moai, group of old classmates, colleagues, friends, or neighbours that meet several times a week to drink tea and chat. These networks provide emotional and financial support throughout their lives.

F Unfortunately, younger Okinawans have abandoned these good habits. They have followed a more Western diet and lifestyle, and the results have been devastating.

G For Okinawans who move away from islands, the picture is similar. Around 100,000 Okinawans moved to Brazil and adopted the eating habits of their new home, including eating a lot of read meat.

abandon – vzdát se

acid – kyselina

ratio – procento

1) Read the article and answer the questions.

       1 What is the article about?

2 What factors explain the long life of Okinawans?

3 What do elderly people in Okinawa usually eat?

4 What do they do in their free time?

5 Is the lifestyle of young Okinawans the same as their parent’s?

6 What is life expectancy in the Czech Republic?

7 What do you do to live a long life?

2) Explain the following words.

1 centenarian

2 diet

3 disease

4 easy-going

5 neighbour

3) Answer the following questions.

What is usual age for men and women to retire in the Czech Republic? What kinds of pension do you know? What should we eat and drink to live a long life? What activities should we do to live longer?

Adjusted to:

GRICE, Tony. Oxford English for Careers : Nursing 1 Student's Book. Oxford : Oxford University Press, 2007. Secrets of a long life, s. 58.