Recently a study done in Greece to show the relationship of the place of residence to the health of people showed up some interesting results. The study took into consideration of health of the people living in the plains and those living in the hills, data taken initially in 1996 and reviewed after 15 years, especially concerned with coronary disease.
The study took into account the population of two villages in the lowlands and one in the mountains of rural Greece. Total 1198 people participated in the initial study. The final data was adjusted for age, education, body weight, smoking, alcohol consumption, systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, blood sugar, and, uric acid.The conclusion showed that there were 290 deaths, with 67 deaths from coronary disease. Total deaths and deaths due to coronary problems were lower for the people living in the hills than those living in the plains.
The researchers are of the conclusion that living in mountains seem to impart a kind of lifestyle that is healthier than the lifestyle of the people living in the plains. One of the reasons for such a lifestyle may be increase in the physical activity level by walking on the uneven terrain.
http://jech.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/abstract/59/4/274
