Successful aging and lifestyle comparison of Greeks living in Greece and abroad: the epidemiological Mediterranean Islands Study (MEDIS)

Comparing lifestyle and successful aging between Greeks living in Greece (GG) and Greeks living abroad (GA) using a multidimensional model of successful aging including both biomedical and non-medical components.Anthropometric, clinical, psychological, socio-demographic, dietary and lifestyle parameters were assessed in a random sample of 252 GG and 252 GA. Successful aging was evaluated using the validated successful aging index (SAI range 0-10).GA had better financial and educational status and scored higher in all social activity parameters (p's 0.05). GA were more likely to be physically active (p 0.001), had higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet (p 0.001) and were less likely to be smoking (p = 0.008). Depression was more evident among GG compared to GA (p 0.001). GA was aging significantly more successfully than GG (p 0.001). Men irrespective of location were aging significantly more successfully than women (p 0.05).Place of residence and personal choices significantly affect the level of healthy aging among people with similar genetic backgrounds.