Loma Linda, California, USA

Location and cultural context

Loma Linda is a city in Southern California with a large Seventh-day Adventist community. Adventists have been followed in cohort studies for decades.

Traditional food patterns

Many Adventists follow vegetarian or plant-forward diets with nuts, legumes and whole grains, and avoid tobacco and alcohol for religious reasons.

Everyday movement

Regular physical activity is encouraged within the community.

Social connections

Church communities provide a strong social network.

Purpose and community

Volunteering and community service are common.

Stress-management practices

A weekly Sabbath rest day is a central practice.

Family and spiritual life

Faith and family are central to community life.

Environment and daily routines

A modern US suburban setting, which shows that the patterns are not limited to remote villages.

Potentially adaptable lifestyle ideas

A weekly rest period, plant-forward eating, not smoking and community involvement.

Limitations of the available evidence

Cohort studies show associations within a specific population. People who choose these lifestyles may differ in other ways, so cause and effect cannot be assumed.

Blue Zone observations describe population, cultural and lifestyle patterns. Research quality and interpretation vary. These observations are not medical prescriptions and do not guarantee longer life. Consult an appropriately qualified professional for personal medical advice.