Description of extreme longevity in the Balearic Islands: Exploring a potential Blue Zone in Menorca, Spain. Issue 3 (30th September 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Soriano, Joan B; Fernández Vázquez, Sara; Carretero, Silvia; Puga González, María Dolores; Soriano, Cecilia; Romaguera, Dora; Alonso‐Fernández, Alberto; Busquets, Xavier; Balcells, Susana; Grinberg, Daniel; Poulain, Michel
• Is Part Of: Geriatrics and gerontology international. Volume 14:Issue 3(2014)
• Page Start: 620
• Page End: 627
• Publication Date: 2013-09-30
• Subjects: Geriatrics -- Periodicals; Gerontology -- Periodicals; Geriatrics -- Japan -- Periodicals; Gerontology -- Japan -- Periodicals; 618.97
• DOI: 10.1111/ggi.12148
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1444-1586

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="ggi12148-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Aim</title> <p>We aimed to determine whether there was a Blue Zone, an area characterized by extreme longevity, in Menorca, Spain.</p> </sec> <sec id="ggi12148-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>We explored official statistics of the Balearic Islands, Spain, and calculated life expectancy from 1991 to 2009, by sex and island, among other demographic estimators.</p> </sec> <sec id="ggi12148-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>The life expectancy at birth in Menorca reached a peak in 2007 with 82.3 years, but since 2001 in females and 2007 in males, it plateaued and then descended. The percentage of centenarians in Es Migjorn Gran was 0.17% in 2001, only because of the 0.33% male contribution, and it returned to within the average Balearic rates. There is no record of any other surviving centenarian after 2006 in Es Migjorn Gran. Results obtained with other demographic indices are confirmatory.</p> </sec> <sec id="ggi12148-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>It appears there was no extreme longevity or Blue Zone in Es Migjorn Gran and the surrounding villages in Menorca. <bold>Geriatr Gerontol Int 2014; 14: 620–627.</bold></p> </sec> </abstract>