One in three children born in the United Kingdom during 2012 can expect to live for 100 years, say UK health experts on the eve of World Health Day.
Can Indian babies achieve this feat?
The answer: Yes, a good percentage of babies born in India during 2012 can expect to celebrate their 100th birthday.
But in order to accomplish this they need to follow the age-old, Indian traditional lifestyle as they grow into adulthood.
According to senior geriatrician V.S. Natarajan, an Indian can expect to live a long and healthy life by simply “reverting to our age-old lifestyle patterns”.
Indian scientists are working to attain the goal of increasing the longevity of people born in this country. The present life expectancy of a newborn Indian is around 64 years.
But now efficacious medicines are extending the life-span of senior citizens. “Thanks to the arrival of more effective antibiotics and drugs, communicable diseases are coming under control,” he said.
“But as a result of the encroachment of Indian traditional lifestyles by Western ideas and principles, non-communicable diseases have emerged and are progressing rapidly in India,” Dr Natarajan added, emphasising the need for following the time-tested Indian tips on healthy living and healthy ageing.
Dr Natarajan, who received a Padma award on Wednesday, told this newspaper that India, though not at the top of the heap globally in geriatric research, had made good progress in the field of geriatric medicine.
For instance, he said, the geriatric department in Madras Medical College had done significant research on geriatric nutrition, osteoporosis, falls and frailty.
Living a long and healthy life is not alien to ancient Indian culture.
Indian mythology is replete with instances of hale and hearty people living for more than 100 years.
“While looking at the 100-year life span of mythological characters, we should also look at the overall scenario in that era. With pure air, water and food, strict adherence to proper values, and living with nature, it’s not surprising they could have lived 100 years or even 200,” he said.
He continued, “In my practice, I see a number of people today above 90 years of age. But most of them suffer from disabilities like dementia, Parkinson’s, arthritis and cataract.“
“Lack of healthy ageing in our population makes it unlikely that these Indian elders will cross the 100-year mark,” averred Dr Natarajan.