Prof Michel Poulain
Michel Poulain introduced the concept of Blue Zones when identifying an area with exceptional longevity area the mountains of Sardinia. He will share the lessons of the Blue Zones and his ongoing search for new Blue Zones.
Keynote Plenary 2: Blue Zones: a model for our ageing society?
Longevity has traditionally been studied at the individual level by identifying specific features, e.g., genetic, nutritional or lifestyle-related, among centenarians. However, during a meeting of researchers contributing to the International Database of Longevity in Montpellier in October 1999, the existence of an area of exceptional longevity was revealed in Sardinia. Although the trustworthiness of the Sardinian data was immediately doubted, the results of the age validation confirmed initial reports. It also became clear that centenarians were not distributed randomly across Sardinia. A specific area of exceptional longevity and higher proportion of centenarians emerged in the most mountainous region of Sardinia. The first time that it was identified on a map, a blue marker was used and, since that time in March 2000, the term Blue Zone was used to identify the longevity hot spot. With the Blue Zone concept, our ability to discover more about exceptional longevity has significantly improved since inhabitants often, for example, have genetic characteristics in common, have experienced the same living conditions since youth and often eat primarily local products.
This lecture will describe the 7 principles gathered from Blue Zone populations and which might be transferred to our advanced and post-industrial societies in order to contribute to improving health and well-being. A central component of the talk will be: can the characteristics of people living in Blue Zones, their lifestyle and environment, both physical and human, help us understand more how to keep older people involved in society and help them live better and longer?