Babies born in autumn may live longer


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Have a birthday in September, October, or November? Lucky you. You may have above-average chances of living an extra-long life.

In a recent study, researchers from the University of Chicago looked at data from more than 1,500 people who were born between 1880 and 1895 and who lived to be 100 or older. The researchers compared that data with the birth months and life spans of nearly 12,000 of the centenarians? siblings and spouses.

The majority of people who lived an extra-long life were born between September and November, the researchers reported in the Journal of Aging Research. Birthdays in March, May, and July produced 40 percent fewer centenarians.

The findings support a growing body of evidence that the conditions we experience extremely early in life may influence our health and survival many decades later, the researchers say. By comparing centenarians to their siblings, the study aimed to take into account living conditions early in life. By comparing spouses, the idea was to consider living conditions later in life.

Weather conditions at conception or birth could have an effect, as well. In the autumn in many parts of the United States, temperatures are neither too stressfully hot nor too stressfully cold. Several factors could combine to make fall babies especially hearty.

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What's interesting is if you compare this with the effects of being born earlier in the year. I recommend reading the book "Outliers" by Malcolm Gladwell (at least, I think that's the right one. I know it is one of his books.)

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I was born in November. Should I consider myself lucky or depressed for potentially spending another 60+ years on this planet?

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I was born in November. Should I consider myself lucky or depressed for potentially spending another 60+ years on this planet?

The way the world is looking right now, the latter. :p

But hey, the longer you are here, the better the chances of being around for first contact. :alien:

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The way the world is looking right now, the latter. :p

But hey, the longer you are here, the better the chances of being around for first contact. :alien:

Time to figure out how to build the Electronic Thumb in time for first contact.

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I was born in November. Should I consider myself lucky or depressed for potentially spending another 60+ years on this planet?

+1

I was born in spring. Clearly, I'm doomed. :|

Sorry mate but please handover the mod badge before you know what... :p

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Sorry mate but please handover the mod badge before you know what... :p

lolwut?

You leave my badge alone :laugh:

*polishes it* myyy preeeecciiiooouuussss....

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