Every morning, as she’s done for over 90 years. Ushi Okushima goes out to work in her family’s rice fields. Having just turned one hundred last month, she’s as sharp and energetic as many women a third her age. But while her longevity and health would make her a phenomenon in most societies, in her native Okinawa,she barely stands out.

　　Is it in their genes? The environment? Or maybe the food they eat? Whatever it is, Okinawans definitely live longer than any other population in the world. Centenarians number about 34 per 100,000 people. For comparison, in other developed countries, only five to ten people in 100,000 can expect to reach 100, and those who do are almost always in poor health.

　　The secret to the Okinawan diet appears to be simple: large amounts of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, only fish such as tuna and salmon, and soy products. The difference is in what they don’t eat-processed foods, lots of meat and dairy products, or other foods high in saturated fats. With moderation a key cultural value in their society, Okinawan elders also stop eating when they feel full.

　　It’s not all in the diet, though. Okinawan elders are a laid-back crowd. Personality tests show that elder Okinawans score low in feelings of“time urgency.”In fact, they could be said to operate on“Okinawan time”, which means almost nothing starts on schedule. In addition, strong spiritual beliefs, daily exercise, and community involvement are other important reasons why Okinawans live such long lives.

　　Okushima and her fellow centenarians are beginning to attract international attention from researchers hoping to discover the secret to their longevity. But if the researchers adopt the locals aesy-going approach to life, it might be a while before their studies are finished.