CNN Features Adventists on Program about Healthy Living
From ANN, March 3, 2015: Throughout February CNN television featured Loma Linda University and the surrounding Seventh-day Adventist community in southern California on a program about how to live a healthier life.[1]
The 30-minute program, “Vital Signs with Dr. Sanjay Gupta,” tackled the question, “What can one do to live a healthier, happier, and longer life?”
The setting for the opening portion of the show was the city of Loma Linda, and interviewees mentioned the key factors of healthy living—maintaining a plant-based diet, regular exercise, rest and relaxation, and having close social connections. They also spoke of the importance of a sense of mission, which for Adventists is closely linked to their faith in God and their hope in Jesus’ soon coming.
One of the key factors to a better life is “having a purpose in what you are doing,” Richard H. Hart, president of Loma Linda University Health, explained on the program.
Gupta, CNN’s chief medical correspondent, noted that Adventists observe the seventh-day Sabbath, giving them a break from everyday stresses and a chance to gather with fellow Adventists. “Adventists also observe a strict Saturday Sabbath. It’s a time to unplug, and unwind, and share time with other like-minded people,” he said.
Author and explorer Dan Buettner explained on the program that a secret to living longer is to spend time with health-minded people rather than those who eat poorly and don’t exercise.
In the show, Gupta focused on the commonalities within the world’s five “Blue Zones,” which Buettner has identified as areas where residents live the longest. Loma Linda is the only Blue Zone in the United States.
Loma Linda University Health also has the distinction of engaging in the world’s longest-running research studies on aging and longevity. The studies, collectively called the Adventist Health Studies, are cited in the show.
Adventists in Loma Linda have been featured by a number of media organizations in recent years. In addition to the CNN program in February, Loma Linda Adventists took centerstage in a lengthy article by Christan Broadcasting Network News titled, “Secrets to Longevity Revealed in Denomination’s Lifestyle.”
[1] The CNN show is posted online and can be accessed here (https://edition.cnn.com/videos/world/2015/02/20/spc-vital-signs-art-of-aging-a.cnn).
How many Adventists living a healthful lifestyle really observe a “strict Saturday Sabbath”? How can it be causally coordinated with the overall health of Adventists?
As a “time to unplug and unwind” non-Adventists enjoy a two-day weekend, one day longer than strict Sabbatarians.
Has a control group of people who live similar lifestyles of food, exercise, caring for physical health, but not strict Sabbatarians? Has a control group been studied, and if so, what were the findings?
There are more vegetarians today than ever before and more are consciously alert to their own health
Elaine: “As a “time to unplug and unwind” non-Adventists enjoy a two-day weekend, one day longer than strict Sabbatarians.”
Maybe in 1937 Elaine, but not in any of the ‘younger’ people I know. In fact in my line of work (law) many people actually go to the office on the weekend. When they do have time to ‘unplug and unwind’, they spend much of the weekend either smashed (that’s drunk) or wired in to social media.
Social media is one area where Adventists – me included – are struggling with. I’ve heard it said, and I begin to agree, that Adventists should probably resist the call to Facebook and Twitter on the Sabbath. Given I am on the computer about 12 hours a day or more, I am certainly guilty of that and probably need to heed that advice myself.
I recognize that certain professions often work on week weekends, but they are not in the majority. I see many in my city who enjoy weeekend sports, biking, running, golfing, all activities that should be enjoyed on Sabbath. So, what does “strict Sabbath observance” mean today?
And why is going to office to “catch up on work” any different than the thousands of Sabbath observers who work on Sabbath in all the medical areas? It is not restful activity, but it is WORK if there is no difference than any other day. “Sabbath observance” is so often hypocritical.
Getting back to the article: Is Sabbath observance critical for a healthy lifestyle or is one or two days a week free of work that makes the difference?
Physical rest is not synonymous with physical and mental rest. SDA’s have the advantage of mental rest. Most don’t entertain worry on the sabbath.
Eat a diet that is high in grains and you will have plenty of time to rest and unwind in the nursing home. You just may not be all that aware of it.