Take the Quiz!
Answer all quiz items as with truth as possible – in other words, to the best of your knowledge. Don’t guess. Begin with 79 years, then add or subtract years based on the scoring of your answers on each item. Your finished (total) score is a rough estimate of your current life expectancy.
1. Where is your ancestral home? (if not given, enter a score of 0). US = minus 2. Austria-UK = minus 1. Canada-France-Italy = 0. Australia-Singapore-Sweden = plus 2. Japan = plus 3. FACT: Life expectancy varies by nation due to genetic and cultural differences.
2. What is your gender ? Female = plus 1. Male = minus 2. FACT: Life expectancy favors the female gender irrespective of culture.
3. Do you have an annual physical exam? Yes = plus 3. No = minus 3. FACT: Many diseases (cancers, hypertension) in later life are asymptomatic, go unnoticed and untreated.
4. Do you have parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents who lived to 85-plus? Add 2 for each 85-plus relative. FACT: Research demonstrates that long-lived parents tend to develop long-living children.
5. Do you volunteer on a weekly basis? Yes = plus 2. No = minus 1.
FACT: Studies affirm that volunteering focuses attention away from ourselves and onto others.
6. Do you live alone? Yes = minus 3. No = 0. FACT: Adults who live alone tend to be less well-nourished, more isolated, and less nurtured.
7. Are you capable to laugh at and learn from your mistakes? Yes = plus 1. No = minus 3. FACT: Laughter, humility, and a positive outlooks are linked to increased life expectancy.
8. Do you have a confidant who listens to your most intimate concerns? Yes = plus 1. No = minus 2.
FACT: Confidants offer aroused catharsis and a sense of personal worth to those in crisis.
9. Do you engage in every day mental exercises such as puzzles, games, learning or problem-solving? Yes = plus 4. No = 0. FACT: Individuals that continually challenge their minds suffer less cognitive disorders.
10. Do you engage in a lot of form of every day aerobic exercise such as swimming, jogging or biking? Yes = plus 2. No = 0. FACT: Exercising at one’s target heart rate strengthens the heart and boosts metabolism.
11. Do you eat a balanced diet, including fresh fruit, vegetables, and whole grains? Yes = plus 2. No = minus 3. FACT: Balanced dieters experience lower danger of both genetic and culturally related diseases.
12. Do you smoke a pack of cigarettes daily? Yes = minus 5 for men, minus 10 for women. No = 0. FACT: Smoking causes almost half a million cancer and lung sickness deaths each year.
13. Do you live with, work with, or spend time with persons who smoke? Yes = minus 1 for men, minus 2 for women. No = 0. FACT: Although close association with smokers is thought to reduce a person’s life expectancy by one year, recent exploration proposes this association may reduce life expectancy by two years.
14. Does your body weight “yo-yo” as you go on and off diet fads? Yes = minus 5. No = 0. FACT: Unorthodox dietary regimes stress the heart and immune system, increasing the peril of disease.
15. Do you own a pet? Yes = plus 2. No = 0. FACT: Peer-reviewed scientific journals substantially aid longevity gains of pet companionship. (Note: Avoid exotic pets, such as parrots, monkeys, reptiles, or rodents. These animals have been known to carry sicknesses that may be transmitted to humans.)
16. When writing, which hand do you use? Left-handed = minus 1. Right-handed = 0. Life is stressful for lefties living in a made-for right-hand world. FACT: Lefties live in a world where most objects are designed for right-handed people. Objects such as scissors, pencil sharpeners, door openers, and may openers are seldom designed for left-handed people.
17. How tall are you? For each inch of your height that outperforms 5’8″ = subtract six months. FACT: Size does matter, but not in any way you may have thought. Shorter people live longer.
18. Do you belong to any religious group, and do you exercise your faith? Yes = plus 2. No = 0. FACT: Attending to both physical and spiritual needs lowers morbidity and mortality.
19. Do you have two or more daughters? Yes = plus 3. No = 0. Daughters are elder caregivers. FACT: Daughters provide the bulk of eldercare. Even daughters-in-law provide more care than do sons.
20. Do you use stress management proficiencies such as meditation, quiet time or visiting a spa? Yes = plus 4. No = minus 3. FACT: Because there is no escape from stress in our innovative society, stress management is the best response.
21. Do you walk to work? Yes = plus 2. Ride to work? Yes = plus 1. Drive to work? Yes = minus 3. FACT: Walking offers fitness benefits, as well as a sense of self-reliance and personal freedom (no gridlock!).
22. Have you had cosmetic surgery? Yes = plus 5. (But subtract 1 for each further and added surgery for the duration of the same decade.) FACT: Cosmetic surgery reduces age phobia and age discrimination and evokes a positive response from a youth-obsessed world. Too some cosmetic surgeries (that is, more than one each 10 years), however, may in truth accelerate the aging process.
23. Do you fear the uncertainties of growing old? Yes = minus 1. No fear = plus 0. FACT: Fear of aging increments your risk of aroused impairment of normal physiological functions such as self hatred, denial and depression.
24. Do you routinely use cannabis? Yes = minus 4. No = 0. FACT: Scientific studies assert that general cannabis use increments the danger of physical and mental disorders-such as lung and heart disease and psychosis-by as much as 150 percent.
25. Are you sexually promiscuous? Yes = minus 6. No = 0. FACT: Engaging in unprotected sex with multiple collaborators primarily increments the danger of sexually transmitted diseases.
26. Are you engaged in a long-term kinship of trust and mutual respect? Yes = plus 5. No = 0. FACT: A kinship of this nature fulfills emotional, social, and physical needs and lowers morbidity and mortality risks.
27. Are all your friends the same age as you? Yes = minus 2. Do you have friends of dissimilar ages? Yes = plus 1. FACT: Having friends from a younger generation counters an age-related decrease in your social network. Social isolation sets the stage for a assortment of age-accelerating conditions. Those who live alone, for example, have a shorter life expectancy due to poor nutrition; the absence of companionship and an individual who may intervene for the duration of periods of depression or physical illness; a decreasing need to get dressed and groomed; and safety issues (for example, the hearing impaired ofttimes misinterpret unnatural sounds, such as bathroom water pipes gurgling, as humane voices whispering) and no one is present to tell them otherwise.
28. Do you keep a written list of specific life goals with time frames for completion? Yes = plus 1. No = 0. FACT: Studies of performance conduct link specific goals and attainments to quality of life.
29. Do you have a family (blood relatives) history of cardiovascular impairment of normal physiological function or cancer prior to age 50? Subtract 2 per occurrence. FACT: Family history demonstrates just how a lot of cultural risks are increased by genetic predisposition. Culture (lifestyle) and genetics (inherited conditions) moderate the aging process. For example, galore ethnic groups portion a history of longevity, as do the children of long-lived parents.
30. Do you have a family history of obesity, diabetes, or chronic depression? Subtract 2 per occurrence.
FACT: Family history demonstrates just how numerous cultural risks are intensified by genetic predisposition.
31. Do you take a once-daily dose (physician-approved) of an anti-inflammatory agent? Yes = plus 4. No = 0. FACT: Scientific studies of anti-inflamatory drugs such as aspirin and statins show a scaled down danger of cardio-vascular impairment of normal physiological functions such as heart attack and stroke.
32. Do you have an annual physical exam that includes a review of diet, over-the-counter medications, prescriptions, and dietary supplements? Yes = plus 2. No = minus 3. FACT: Without oversight, combining prescription and over-the-counter medications with dietary supplements may be life threatening.
33. Does your dental care routine include each day brushing and flossing, plus a six-month checkup and cleaning? Yes = 0. No = minus 1.
FACT: A lack of preventive dental care and poor oral health habits raises the risk of infection elsewhere in the body, such as the heart.
34. Do you compute your daily caloric needs, then reduce caloric intake by 20 percent? Yes = plus 2. No = 0. FACT: Research demonstrates a strong kinship amid scaled down caloric intake and longevity. If you answered “No” to this question, read the chapter, Thoughts for Food, for more info regarding computing your each and everyday caloric needs and the gains of reducing your caloric intake by 20 percent.
35. Do you have one each and everyday serving of red wine (7 oz), purple grape juice (7 oz), or RDA grape-seed extract? Yes = plus 2. No = minus 1. FACT: The agent in purple grapes enhances cardiovascular health by flushing cholesterol from the arteries.
36. Do you have one daily serving of oatmeal or oatbran (one -half cup, or one 70- gram granola bar)? Yes= plus 1. No= minus1. FACT: The fiber in oatmeal enhances cardiovascular health by flushing cholestoral from the arteries.
37. Are you involved in supervised strength training 3 times per week? Yes = 0. No = minus 1. FACT: Muscular strength, flexibility, and coordination are necessary to each day living and reduce the likelihood of tripping and falling.
38. Do you have a every day exercise procedure that comprises of at least 20 minutes of supervised cardiovascular training at your target heart rate, as well as warm-up and cool-down periods? Yes = plus 2, No = 0. FACT: Cardiovascular and metabolic gains occur when exercise is performed at your target heart rate. If you answered “No” to this question, read chapter five, Full Body Contact, for more selective information when it comes to calculating your target heart rate and the gains of a regular exercise routine.
39. Is your home and indoor work space adequately ventilated by oftentimes opening windows, or equipped with air filtration that may filter microscopic particles? Yes = plus 1. No = minus 1. FACT: Environmental studies have documented increasing proof of cardiopulmonary impairment of normal physiological functions generated from indoor air and materials. Common items you have and use in and around your home – such as carpets and furniture, insecticides, cleansers, and paint and varnish – may release toxins into the air. In addition, all homes absorb toxins from the outside surroundings through normal cracks in originations and walls.
40. Do you eat or drink more than two daily servings of caffeinated products, such as coffee, tea, cola, or chocolate? Yes = minus 2. No = 0. FACT: Caffeine helps headache pain, but it is toxic affect elsewhere elevates the danger of cancer and heart disease.
41. Is your BMI (body mass index) 25 or greater? Yes = minus 4. No = 0. FACT: A Body Mass Index of 25 or above increments the risk of diabetes, heart attack, stroke, and hypertension. Clinical obesity has multiple negative and long-term effects on organs all around the body. If you do not recognise how to calculate your Body Mass Index, read chapter five, Full Body Contact, for more information.
42. Is the intermediate time you take to consume your meals more than 30 minutes? = 0. Less than 30 minutes? = minus 1.
FACT: Your brain requires 30 minutes to measure fullness, by which time you’re ofttimes on a second or third helping.
43. Do you eat, drink, or use a cell phone while driving your vehicle? Yes = minus 1. No = 0. FACT: These distracting behavings elevate your danger of exceptionally bad or displeasing close calls and straightout accidents.
44. Do you have a consistent work schedule (i.e., work 9 to 5)? = 0. Or do you have an inconsistent work schedule (shift work that changes schedule)? = minus 2.
FACT: One in four laborers is in a shift-work occupation that results in chronic sleep deprivation.
45. Within a 24-hour day, do you sleep nine or more hours? Yes = minus 1. Do you sleep 6-8 hours? Yes = plus 2. Do you sleep 5 hours or fewer? Yes = 1. FACT: On average, most people need amongst 6 and 8 hours of sleep. Sleep deprivation is related with poor concentration, more popular accidents, and substandard effort.
46. Can you list sensations or changes affiliated with colon cancer? Yes = plus 1. No = minus 2. FACT: It is not necessary for this cancer to be so dangerous to your health. Get a checkup, now.
47. Can you list sensations or changes of adult-onset diabetes? Yes = plus 2. No = minus 3. FACT: Genetics, lifestyle, dietary habits, or a combining of the three are all risk factors.
48. Women only: Can you list breast cancer symptoms? Yes = plus 2. No = minus 3. FACT: Preventive measures such as breast self-examination and mammography stay under-utilized.
49. Can you list high blood pressure symptoms? Yes = minus 2. No = 0 FACT: There are no sensations or changes related with high blood pressure; therefore, you ought to have your blood pressure checked regularly.
50. Women only: Have you had a bone density test as a preventive step versus osteoporosis? Yes = plus 1, No = 0. FACT: Osteoporosis is more prevalent in women and increments the peril of back and hip fractures. Start monitoring early. As a preventive health measure, women ought to monitor their calcium needs as early as age 23 and their bone density as early as age 30.
51. Men only: Can you list prostate cancer symptoms? Yes = plus 2. No = minus 2. FACT: After age 50, your doctor must monitor prostate health by dependable digital or PSA testing.
52. Men only: Can you list testicular cancer symptoms? Yes = 0. No = minus 1. FACT: Avoid costume fabric or styles that elevate testicle temperature. Monitor on a regular basis by inspecting the soft tissue of the testicles for lumps and painful areas; if found, see your doctor for a professional examination.
53. Women only: Can you list ovarian cancer symptoms? Yes = plus 2. No = minus 2. FACT: Early risks subsist but increase after menopause, and in association with furthering age.
54. Can you list heart attack symptoms? Yes = plus 1. No = minus 2. FACT: Learn the sensations or changes and prompt interventions. Learn Cardiopulmonary Resusciation (CPR) for protecting loved ones.
55. How would you rate your sex life? Satisfactory = plus 1. Not sure = minus 0. Not worthy of acceptance or satisfactory = minus 1. FACT: Overstimulation by advertising, entertainment, and fashion results in a authenti need for a positive sexual outlet.
Now add it all up. Your score is an estimate of how long you may suppose to live. A score of less than 79 years ought to alert you to take positive action. In fact, 75% of longevity predictors are based on lifestyle, not genes. Remember, long life depends on seven factors: genetic inheritance (good genes give you a good head start), physical fitness, mental fitness (exercising your mind), aroused fitness (meaningful lives last longer), spiritual fitness (interpreting the intent of life), feed fitness (healthy nutrition and diet) and environmental fitness (limiting our exposure to toxic chemicals). Remember, the key to a long and healthful life is more than smart genes and mute luck.
Low score? It’s never too late to make positive modus vivendi changes. A finish lifestyle plan, in an interactional question & answer format is available in Dr. David Demko’s book, “Live Well Now, Dr. David Demko’s Anti-Aging Plan to Youth’n Your Life”.
Copyright Next Decade, Inc. 2005