Cigar Weekly

JULIE CHEN, co-host:

We begin a new series here on THE EARLY SHOW called SECRETS TO A LONGER LIFE, what you need to do to make it to 100. This morning, we celebrate the birthday of a man who's passed the century mark and still going strong.

It's Frank Fogerty's 101st birthday, and celebrating never gets old.

Mr. FRANK FOGERTY: They're nice, they're nice, if you've got good health.

CHEN: So don't let the walker fool you, Fogerty is a spry centenarian. He adheres to a daily exercise routine which culminates with 15 minutes on a stationary bike. It's a pace that's remarkably uncommon.

Dr. RICHARD DUPREE (Geriatrics Professor, Tufts Medical Center): One out of 10,000 in this country will make it to age 100, in this country.

CHEN: In fact, the average American is only expected to live until they're 78, that puts the United States at 23rd on a global list of longevity, a list topped by Japan, where people are likely to reach 82.

Dr. DUPREE: In Japan, the diet has remained fairly stable; it's low in carbohydrates, it's high in fish and omega-3 fatty acids, which are protective as antioxidants against cardiovascular disease and stroke and cancer.

(Graphic on screen)

World Ranking

18 Belgium 78.9

19 United Kingdom 78.7

20 Finland 78.7

21 Jordan 78.6

22 Bosnia/Herzeg 78.2

23 United States 78

24 Cyprus 78

1 Japan 82

2 Singapore 81.8

3 Sweden 80.6

4 Australia 80.6

5 Switzerland 80.5

6 France 80.6

7 Iceland 80.4

CHEN: There's more at work here, however, than a good diet.

Dr. DUPREE: There's a spirituality, a belief in some other greater being. And study after study has shown that that belief is associated with longevity.

CHEN: Another spiritual community demonstrating longevity are the Seventh Day Adventists of Loma Linda, California, where members are living four to 10 years longer than the average Californian.

Dr. HYVETH WILLIAMS (Senior Pastor, Campus Hill Church): When we nurture that spirituality, it encourages in us a certain vibrancy.

CHEN: And while most of us don't think we have a prayer at living so long, a recent study suggests otherwise. You've heard the advice before, but maintaining a healthy weight combined with consistent exercise up to age 70 will give you a 54 percent chance of making it to 90.

(Graphic on screen)

54% of Healthy 70 Year Olds Will Live Until 90

Source: Archives of Internal Medicine

Dr. DUPREE: Weight control is critical. Can't be overweight. Exercise is critical. Making sure you don't have diabetes or even close to that. Making sure the blood pressure is acceptable, and not smoking. If you control all five of those risk factors, you've got that 54 percent.

CHEN: And that's not too far off from celebrating as many birthdays as Frank Fogerty, who was happy to share one of his secrets to living beyond 100.

Mr. FOGERTY: Scotch on the rocks and a cigar before you go to bed, that helps.

CHEN: Make that a good sense of humor and plenty of friends to share it with.

(Sponsorship of SECRETS TO A LONGER LIFE segment)