Centenarians say faith source of longevity: survey

Boston, USA - Faith and spirituality were cited most often by people over the age of 100 as the source of their longevity, according to a survey sponsored by a unit of UnitedHealth Group.

In a survey of 100 people between the ages of 100 and 104, 23 percent said faith rather than genes and good medical care were responsible for their long life.

Other factors given included hard work, a healthy diet and "living a good, clean life."

Sixty-one percent of those surveyed said there was nothing they would have done more of in their lives and 78 percent said there is nothing they would have done less.

About 13 percent said they wished they had traveled more, 9 percent said they wished they had worked less and 6 percent said they wished they had spent more time with their families.

The survey, conducted by Evercare which provide health plans to the disabled and chronically ill, indicated that 30 percent of centenarians considered raising a family as their most satisfying achievement while 20 percent valued mostly their careers.