Do Children of Long-Lived Parents Age More Successfully?

lected in part for the genetic factors that promote successful aging. The children of long-lived parents may therefore age more successfully than the children of short-lived parents. Methods. We used three major cross-sectional population-based surveys to study the association of parental longevity with successful aging in offspring. The measures of aging were hand-grip strength, cognitive performance (Mini Mental State Examination and a cognitive composite score), self-reported diseases, and self-rated health. Results. For every additional 10 years the parents lived, their children’s grip strength increased by 0.32 kg (95 % CI 0.00–0.63), Mini Mental State Examination score by 0.20 points (95 % CI 0.03–0.37), and cognitive composite score by 0.24 points (95 % CI 0.07–0.40). A 10-year increment of parental life was associated with a reduction by approximatel