title: Demographic, phenotypic, and genetic characteristics of centenarians in Okinawa and Japan: Part 1-centenarians in Okinawa.
abstract: A study of elderly Okinawans has been carried out by the Okinawa Centenarian Study (OCS) research group for over four decades. The OCS began in 1975 as a population-based study of centenarians (99-year-olds and older) and other selected elderly persons residing in the main island of the Japanese prefecture of Okinawa. As of 2015, over 1000 centenarians have been examined. By several measures of health and longevity the Okinawans can claim to be the world's healthiest and longest-lived people. In this paper we explore the demographic, phenotypic, and genetic characteristics of this fascinating population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Geriatric Medicine, University of Hawaii, HPM-9 347 N Kuakini Street, Honolulu HI, 96817, United States; Department of Research, Kuakini Medical Center, 347 N Kuakini Street, Honolulu HI, 96817, United States; Okinawa Research Center for Longevity Science, 1-27-8 Ahacha, Suite 202, Urasoe, Okinawa, 901-2114, Japan. Electronic address: willcox@hawaii.edu.
authors.forename: Bradley J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Willcox
authors.affiliation: Department of Geriatric Medicine, University of Hawaii, HPM-9 347 N Kuakini Street, Honolulu HI, 96817, United States; Department of Research, Kuakini Medical Center, 347 N Kuakini Street, Honolulu HI, 96817, United States; Okinawa International University, Department of Human Welfare, 2-6-1 Ginowan, Okinawa, 901-2701, Japan; Okinawa Research Center for Longevity Science, 1-27-8 Ahacha, Suite 202, Urasoe, Okinawa, 901-2114, Japan.
authors.forename: Donald Craig
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Willcox
authors.affiliation: University of the Ryukyus, Department of Medicine, 207 Uehara, Nishihara, Okinawa, 903-0215, Japan; Okinawa Research Center for Longevity Science, 1-27-8 Ahacha, Suite 202, Urasoe, Okinawa, 901-2114, Japan.
authors.forename: Makoto
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Suzuki
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008136:Longevity / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D010641:Phenotype; D011157:Population Dynamics
keywords: Caloric restriction; Centenarian; Diet; Environment; Genetics; Longevity; Okinawa