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Relationships among Environment, Climate, and Longevity in China
Yi Huang1,2, Mark Rosenberg3, Lingli Hou4
1School of Geographic Science, Nantong University, Nantong 226007, China. huangyi@ntu.edu.cn.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
|October 10, 2017
Summary
Environmental and nutritional factors significantly impact human longevity. Coastal regions in China, with higher humidity, moderate temperatures, and selenium-rich soil, show enhanced longevity, linked to sea fish consumption.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Environmental Health
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Human longevity is a complex trait influenced by a combination of genetic, environmental, and nutritional factors.
- Understanding regional variations in longevity can provide insights into key contributing elements.
- China's diverse geography and population offer a unique setting to study these influences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between environmental and nutritional factors and human longevity in Chinese cities.
- To identify specific geographical and dietary patterns associated with higher longevity ratios.
- To quantify the contribution of key factors to longevity variations.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of longevity data (85+/65+ ratios) across Chinese cities.
- Correlation of longevity data with environmental variables (humidity, temperature, altitude, soil selenium).
- Assessment of dietary patterns, including sea fish, freshwater fish, and meat consumption.
- Application of geographically weighted regression to model the influence of selected factors.
Main Results:
- Higher longevity ratios were observed in coastal and southern Chinese regions.
- Favorable conditions included higher humidity, stable temperatures, higher soil selenium, and increased sea fish consumption.
- Selenium and omega-3 fatty acids from sea fish were identified as crucial nutritional factors.
- Geographically weighted regression indicated that humidity, altitude, and sea fish consumption explained 66% (2000) and 68% (2010) of longevity variations.
Conclusions:
- Environmental factors like humidity and stable temperatures, alongside nutritional elements such as selenium and omega-3 fatty acids from sea fish, are critical determinants of human longevity in China.
- Dietary choices, particularly sea fish consumption, play a significant role, while meat and freshwater fish intake show less association.
- Further research is needed to explore other contributing factors influencing longevity across different regions.
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