Rock-Stars-of-Aging-by-Marc-Middleton
Rock-Stars-of-Aging-by-Marc-Middleton
Rock-Stars-of-Aging-by-Marc-Middleton
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<strong>Rock</strong>s <strong>Stars</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Aging</strong><br />
29<br />
STATE OF MIND<br />
15: Centenarians Are Predominately Women<br />
“There is in every true woman's heart, a spark <strong>of</strong> heavenly fire, which<br />
lies dormant in the broad daylight <strong>of</strong> prosperity, but which kindles up<br />
and beams and blazes in the dark hour <strong>of</strong> adversity.” -- Washington<br />
Irving, author (April 13, 1783 – November 28, 1859)<br />
OK, being a woman isn’t really a state <strong>of</strong> mind, but it appears that a<br />
state <strong>of</strong> mind that is more common to women than men could be<br />
responsible for the huge longevity gender gap. The centenarian<br />
male/female (M/F) ratio reported <strong>by</strong> most studies ranges between 1:5<br />
and 1:10. In other words, as many as 9 out <strong>of</strong> every 10 centenarians<br />
are women.<br />
Since researchers have been unable to attribute this disparity to any<br />
single variable, it is believed that several factors are responsible<br />
including genetics, hormones and perhaps most importantly, lifestyle.<br />
Although women can still expect to live longer than men, the disparity<br />
has lessened in the past couple <strong>of</strong> decades. Some researchers<br />
believe it’s because more women are taking on the behaviors and<br />
stresses formerly considered the domain <strong>of</strong> males -- smoking,<br />
drinking and working outside the home.<br />
<strong>Rock</strong> <strong>Stars</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Aging</strong><br />
29
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