The Scientific Senate of the Dan Voiculescu Foundation for the Development of Romania is currently engaged in the second phase of research within the "Longevity Map of Romania" project. This phase involves the addition of Pardoși commune, Buzău county, to the map of areas with the longest-living Romanians. The project, which is unique within the country, aims to map the areas where Romanians live longer and to analyse the factors that contribute to active and healthy ageing.
The commune of Pardoși, situated within Buzău County, is a small locality with a population of less than 1,000 inhabitants. It is notable for the significant proportion of its population comprising individuals aged 85 and above, with this age group representing over 10% of the total population. Pardoși Commune provides an illustrative case study of longevity in Romania, with a segment of the population aged 85 and above representing 10.16% of the total population. In the second phase of the research, a multidisciplinary team of physicians, psychologists, anthropologists and sociologists conducted comprehensive medical examinations, identifying genetic and lifestyle factors.
One of the principal elements of the research is epigenetic analysis, which determines the biological age of the subjects and compares it with their chronological age. Genetic tests, based on blood sampling, target significant indicators of longevity, such as telomere length and DNA methylation levels. These analyses contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms and environmental factors that influence longevity.
One of the health professionals involved in the project, Gabriela Voicu, elucidated the objective of the analyses, stating, "Through these analyses, we aim to uncover the common factors that have contributed to these impressive ages. In addition, we are assessing food intolerances and analysing how biological age differs from chronological age."
The research is not solely focused on genetics. In Pardoși, the team observed that residents maintain an active lifestyle, even in old age. The majority of residents have engaged in agricultural activities throughout their lives and continue to engage in activities such as tending to gardens, raising animals, and consuming unprocessed foods. Matilda Stefan, a Pardoși villager involved in the project, informed the Scientific Senate's experts that the residents were "hard-working, but also well fed." She further elaborated that they had "cows, sheep, a garden," and that their engagement in these activities throughout their lives contributed to their overall health and well-being.
Another case in point is that of Mrs. Călina Chințoiu, who, despite being over 85 years of age, continues to engage in the arduous task of scything, which is widely regarded as one of the most challenging activities in agriculture. She remarks, "Yesterday I took up the scythe, I cut, I did not sit still. The work kept me fit."
The combination of active living and strenuous physical labour, coupled with a diet comprising natural household products, represents a significant contributing factor to the exceptional longevity observed among the inhabitants of Pardoși.
Răzvan Dumitru, a sociologist in the research team, also underscores the significance of socio-cultural elements, stating, "As a sociologist, I examine the manner in which they live, their lifestyle, the environment in which they have worked, the activities they have engaged in throughout their lives, their consumption patterns, and other aspects that constitute their lifestyle."
Small, close-knit communities, such as the one in Pardoși, play a vital role in maintaining the emotional and physical health of older people. The constant presence of family and neighbors provides important material and emotional support, which helps to reduce stress and increase quality of life.
Data obtained in Pardoși and other localities with a high percentage of older people will be used to formulate recommendations to support active and healthy ageing at national level.
The final results of the project will be presented on October 9, 2024, during an event organized in partnership with Academician Victor Voicu, President of the Medical Sciences Section of the Romanian Academy.
