Alameda County Study Explained

The Alameda County Study is a longitudinal study of residents from Alameda County, California, which examines the relationship between lifestyle and health.^[1] The "1965 cohort" were given health questionnaires in 1965, 1973, 1985, 1988, 1994, and 1999. The researchers found that those who followed five practices lived healthier and longer lives:^{[2] [3]}

• Avoiding smoking.
• Exercising regularly.
• Maintaining a healthy body weight.
• Sleeping seven to eight hours per night. (For related research, see Sleep#Optimal.)
• Limiting consumption of alcoholic drinks.

Another study of the Alameda cohort suggests that social and community ties can also help an individual to live longer.^[4]

Later studies of the cohort considered the impact of religiosity, social status, and hearing loss on health outcomes.

See also

• Blue Zone
  • Religiosity
• Self care

Notes and References

1. Housman. Jeff. Dorman. Steve. The Alameda County Study: A Systematic, Chronological Review. American Journal of Health Education. September–October 2005. 36. 5. 302–308. 7 June 2010. American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. Reston, VA. 1055-6699. ERIC document number EJ792845. 10.1080/19325037.2005.10608200. 39133965.
2. . "The linear model supported previous findings, including regular exercise, limited alcohol consumption, abstinence from smoking, sleeping 7-8 hours a night, and maintenance of a healthy weight play an important role in promoting longevity and delaying illness and death." Citing: Wingard . D. L.. Berkman . L. F.. Brand . R. J.. A multivariate analysis of health-related practices: a nine-year mortality follow-up of the Alameda County Study. Am J Epidemiol. 1982. 116. 5. 765–775. 7148802. 10.1093/oxfordjournals.aje.a113466.
3. Encyclopedia: Kaplan. Robert M.. Alameda County Study. Encyclopedia of Health and Behavior. 2004. 32 . SAGE Publications, Inc.. 9780761923602. 2019-07-26. 10.4135/9781412952576.n10. registration.
4. Berkman . L. F.. Syme . S. L.. Social networks, host resistance, and mortality: a nine-year follow-up study of Alameda County residents. Am J Epidemiol. 1979. 109. 2. 186–204. 10.1093/oxfordjournals.aje.a112674. 425958. (Lay summary in: News: Brody. Jane E.. Social Interaction Is Critical for Mental and Physical Health. The New York Times. 12 June 2017. Personal Health column.)