P = presenter , D = David McLain

(The words of David McLain are spoken by an actor.)

P : No one knows exactly the reason why some people live longer than others . Why are they so healthy ? Is it their diet ? Do they go to the gym more than other people ? Well, one man is trying to answer these questions and that man is photographer David McLain. He's currently travelling to different places around the world with large numbers of people aged a hundred and over and asking the question : Why are they so healthy ? At the moment he's working on the island of Sardinia in Italy and he's speaking to us right now on the phone. David thank you for joining us today.

D : Hello .

P: So, first of all, tell us why you decided to visit Sardinia .

D: Well, Sardinia is an interesting place because men live to the same age as women. That isn't normal for most, countries. Men normally die younger.

P: And does anyone know the reason why people live longer in Sardinia?

D: There are different ideas about this. One explanation is that the family is so important here. Every Sunday the whole family eats a big meal together. Research shows that in countries where people live longer, the family is important. But also on Sardinia, the older mother or grandmother often has authority in the family. As men get older they have less responsibility in Sardinian culture. So, perhaps the older men have less stress, which means they are living longer.

P: I see. So, do you think people live longer in traditional societies?

D: That's an interesting question. Sardinia is quite a traditional place but, even here, the younger generation are eating more food like chips and burgers. Also, young people are moving to the city, so they are doing less exercise because of their lifestyle. It'll be interesting to see what happens in Sardinia in the next twenty or thirty years.

P = presenter , D = David McLain

(The words of David McLain are spoken by an actor.)

P: No one knows exactly the reason why some people live longer than others . Why are they so healthy ? Is it their diet ? Do they go to the gym more than other people ? Well, one man is trying to answer these questions and that man is photographer David McLain. He's currently travelling to different places around the world with large numbers of people aged a hundred and over and asking the question : Why are they so healthy ? At the moment he's working on the island of Sardinia in Italy and he's speaking to us right now on the phone. David thank you for joining us today.

D : Hello .

P: So, first of all, tell us why you decided to visit Sardinia .

D: Well, Sardinia is an interesting place because men live to the same age as women. That isn't normal for most, countries. Men normally die younger.

P: And does anyone know the reason why people live longer in Sardinia?

D: There are different ideas about this. One explanation is that the family is so important here. Every Sunday the whole family eats a big meal together. Research shows that in countries where people live longer, the family is important. But also on Sardinia, the older mother or grandmother often has authority in the family. As men get older they have less responsibility in Sardinian culture. So, perhaps the older men have less stress, which means they are living longer.

P: I see. So, do you think people live longer in traditional societies?

D: That's an interesting question. Sardinia is quite a traditional place but, even here, the younger generation are eating more food like chips and burgers. Also, young people are moving to the city, so they are doing less exercise because of their lifestyle. It'll be interesting to see what happens in Sardinia in the next twenty or thirty years.