Deck 5: Health and Longevity

Question 1

Life expectancy is longest in which of the following countries?

A) Japan
B) U. S.
C) Greece
D) Sweden

Answer 1

A

Question 2

The highest proportion of centenarians are found in

A) the U. S.
B) Greece
C) Sweden
D) Okinawa

Answer 2

D

Question 3

In this chapter's Senior View, Dr. Donham told us that exercise, diet, good genes and what other factor is important for long life?

A) alcohol
B) mental stimulation
C) social support
D) avoiding stress

Answer 3

B

Question 4

Within the United States, which location has the longest life expectancy?

A) California
B) Florida
C) Alaska
D) Hawaii

Question 5

Within the United States, which location has the shortest life expectancy?

A) Washington DC
B) Mississippi
C) North Dakota
D) Oregon

Question 6

Which form of Apo-E protein is more prevalent in centenarians than in younger men?

A) 1
B) 2
C) 3
D) 4

Question 7

With respect to the relative influence of genetics and environment on longevity the general conclusion is that

A) genetics and environment play an equal role
B) genetics plays a bigger role than environment
C) environment plays a bigger role than genetics
D) neither play a very important role

Question 8

A research strategy to assess the importance of genetics for longevity has been to

A) compare identical and fraternal twins reared together or apart
B) examine the historical records of families
C) compare centenarians to other old adults
D) all of the above

Question 9

The recommended BMI is

A) 120/80
B) 18.5-24.9
C) Less than 20
D) 25-26.5

Question 10

Restriction of _____ has been found to increase longevity for rats and monkeys.

A) proteins
B) carbohydrates
C) calories
D) fats

Question 11

Person with very low BMI's are more likely than normal weighted individuals to die from

A) starvation
B) respiratory problems
C) heart disease
D) all of the above

Question 12

Some research has found an association between shorter telomere strands and

A) lack of exercise
B) high levels of stress
C) excess alcohol intake
D) obesity

Question 13

NEAT seems to be one way to maintain a normal BMI. NEAT refers to activities like

A) fidgeting
B) eating neat foods
C) aerobics
D) lifting weights

Question 14

Frequently feeling exhausted, having a low level of physical activity, walking slowly, and having very little strength are indicators of

A) low BMI
B) frailty
C) insomnia
D) old age

Question 15

Which of the following is not a good aerobic exercise for older adults?

A) swimming
B) brisk walks
C) weight lifting
D) bicycle riding

Question 16

One of the most important things that people can do to increase their health and longevity is something that less than half actually do on a regular basis and that is to

A) take vitamin supplements
B) exercise
C) wear seat belts
D) have regular physical examinations

Question 17

Older adults say that a reason they do not exercise is that

A) it makes them feel self-conscious
B) they cannot find the time
C) it is not very interesting
D) all of the above

Question 18

One of the easiest ways to begin an exercise regimen is to begin or increase your

A) walking
B) protein intake
C) stretching
D) jogging

Question 19

Which of the following nutrients appears to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease?

A) Omega-3 acids
B) Vitamin E
C) Thiamine
D) Folic acid

Question 20

Aspirin is a fairly effective agent for reducing the risk of stroke and heart attack in some cases but also carries the risk of promoting

A) brain hemorrhage
B) breast and prostate cancer
C) loss of spinal fluid
D) anxiety disorders

Question 21

Which of the following does not appear to have any health benefits?

A) resveratrol
B) Vitamin E
C) green tea
D) pantothenic acid

Question 22

Which of the following is the worst thing that you can do if you want to live a long and healthy life?

A) drink caffeine
B) drink alcohol
C) smoke cigarettes
D) live in the city

Question 23

The agent(s) in cigarettes that promotes cancer is (are) the

A) nicotine
B) tar
C) smoke particles
D) carbon monoxide and cyanide

Question 24

Smoking seems to be a major contributor to all of the following except

A) cancer of the pancreas
B) erectile dysfunction
C) cancer of the bladder
D) osteoarthritis

Question 25

All other things being equal which of the following persons is likely to live the longest?

A) Michelle who never, ever drinks any alcohol
B) Arlo who drinks a beer or two almost everyday
C) Tommy who drinks everyday and gets loaded every Friday and Saturday
D) Leo who has been an alcoholic for over ten years

Question 26

A possible positive effect of moderate alcohol consumption is that it may

A) boost the functioning of the immune system
B) maintain the flexibility of blood vessels
C) increase neural functioning
D) all of the above

Question 27

The functioning of your immune system may be suppressed and you may become more vulnerable to disease and infections if you

A) consume too much alcohol
B) experience prolonged stress
C) eat too may high calorie foods
D) avoid aerobic exercises

Question 28

Why are older adults particularly vulnerable to the damaging effects of stress?

A) they secrete more cortisol for a longer period of time
B) they do not have access to as much relief
C) it's a cohort, not an age, difference
D) because they're older

Question 29

The gender gap in longevity

A) refers to the finding that females usually live longer than males
B) has remained fairly stable since 1910
C) only occurs in very wealthy countries
D) all of the above

Question 30

Which of the following has not been proposed as an explanation of the gender gap?

A) male and female hormone differences
B) XX versus XY chromosome differences
C) gender differences in smoking and risk taking
D) gender differences in physical fitness

Question 31

When one examines longevity for men and women one finds the biggest difference in deaths from

A) various forms of cancer
B) atherosclerosis related disorders
C) pneumonia and influenza
D) suicide and homicide

Question 32

All other things being equal, which of the following persons is likely to live the longest?

A) a black man
B) a white man
C) a black woman
D) a white woman

Question 33

One factor that is strongly related to longevity is the amount of ________ that a person has.

A) life insurance
B) social support
C) cortisol
D) liquid aminos

Question 34

Which of the following groups has the lowest levels of heart disease and stroke?

A) Asian Americans
B) African Americans
C) Hispanic Americans
D) Native Americans

Question 35

Which of the following groups is most likely to die from homicide?

A) Asian Americans
B) African Americans
C) Hispanic Americans
D) Native Americans

Question 36

Which of the following is not likely to be one of the reasons for racial/ethnic group differences in longevity?

A) low levels of health literacy
B) low levels of social support
C) SES
D) stress

Question 37

People who are very old (centenarians) generally report

A) high levels of life satisfaction
B) a high number of painful symptoms
C) a satisfying sex life
D) a loss of interest in reporting anything

Question 38

Individuals who live to be very old are likely to be people who

A) adapt well to change
B) are generally optimistic
C) maintain good social relationships
D) all of the above

Question 39

Research on centenarians has classified them as

A) survivors
B) escapers
C) delayers
D) all of the above

Question 40

Describe the explanations and supporting research for the gender gap seen in longevity.

Question 41

We have control over some of the factors that influence longevity. Describe three of these factors and why they seem to influence longevity.

Question 42

Describe three factors over which we have no control and which influence longevity.

Question 43

Describe what you will be like as an older person.

Question 44

You go home at semester break for a family holiday gathering. Your young cousin thinks you know everything about aging and wants to know what she can do to age well and live long. Describe three things that she can do to encourage a long, healthy life.