The children of people who live to 100 appear to have somewhat healthier eating habits than many of their peers, according to new research that offers fresh insight into the lifestyle patterns of long-lived families.
The study, conducted by researchers at Boston University, examined the diets of 457 older adults participating in the New England Centenarian Study, one of the world’s largest investigations into exceptional longevity. Most participants were the adult children of centenarians.
Researchers analysed food questionnaires completed in 2005 by participants ranging in age from their mid-40s to early 90s. The average age was in the mid-70s at the time.
The findings showed that these individuals generally had moderate diet quality. While their eating patterns were not ideal, they scored somewhat better than comparable groups of older Americans across several recognised measures of diet quality. These included assessments linked to overall health, chronic disease prevention, brain health and environmental sustainability.
Participants performed particularly well in their intake of fruits, vegetables, leafy greens, beans and seafood. They also scored highly for protein quality, favouring seafood and less processed sources of protein over heavily processed meats. In addition, they tended to consume lower amounts of sodium, added sugars and refined grains.
Despite these strengths, researchers found that many participants still fell short of recommended intake levels for several important food groups. Whole grains, legumes, soy-based foods and nuts were among the items consumed in lower-than-recommended amounts. These foods are widely regarded as essential components of a healthy diet and are regularly recommended by organisations such as the World Health Organization for reducing the risk of chronic disease.
The researchers cautioned that the study does not prove diet is the reason these families tend to live longer. The analysis was observational and based on self-reported dietary data collected at a single point in time. In addition, the study population was largely white and highly educated, which may limit how broadly the findings can be applied.
Education emerged as one of the strongest predictors of healthier eating habits. Participants with higher levels of education generally achieved better scores across all diet quality measures.
The researchers said the results highlight the importance of improving nutrition education for older adults, including practical skills such as reading food labels, meal planning and cooking. They also called for policies aimed at making healthy foods, particularly whole grains and legumes, more affordable and accessible.
As populations continue to age, understanding the habits of long-lived families could offer valuable clues about how diet and lifestyle contribute to healthy ageing.
