Key words: longevity, epidemiology, prospective cohort, lifestyle, reproductive factors, loneliness

"Determinants of reaching human longevity: A prospective cohort approach"

The research presented in this thesis aimed to identify several (modifiable) factors that are associated with reaching the age of 90 years (longevity), using a prospective cohort design. The study observed that offspring of parents who survived to ages 80 year and older had an increased likelihood of reaching longevity. Furthermore, smoking was the most important modifiable lifestyle factor associated with a decreased probability of reaching longevity, while being physically active, having a BMI between 18.5 and 25.0 kg/m2 (in women), and a moderate alcohol consumption (5-<15 gr. alcohol/day) were associated with increased probabilities of reaching longevity. Loneliness, and indicators of menstrual timing (incl. age at menarche, age at menopause, and reproductive lifespan) were not associated with the chance of reaching longevity.