Aging Well: Surprising Guideposts to a Happier Life from the Landmark Harvard Study of Adult Development.

Researchers conducting Harvard University's Study of Adult Development have for 6 to 8 decades been following individuals selected as teenagers in an effort to determine how people can remain healthy and vibrant late into their lives. Ninety educated women, 268 socially advantaged male Harvard graduates, and 456 socially disadvantaged inner city men make up the group having their mental and physical health repeatedly assessed. Vaillant, who now heads this study and has worked on it for more than 30 years, reports for the first time on some surprising insights into how people change as they age. For instance, the study's results indicate that being in a good marriage at age 50 predicts positive aging at 80, while a low cholesterol reading at age 50 doesn't. Objective good physical health is less important to successful aging than subjective good health--in other words, it's OK to be ill as long as you don't feel sick. Alcohol abuse consistently brings on unsuccessful aging because of the damage it wrecks on social supports. The overall theme here is that lifestyle choices play a larger role in later life than genetics, socioeconomic status, or one's upbringing does. Little, 2002, 373 p., hardcover, $24.95.