Blue Zones Project Dining In Southwest Florida

The Blue Zones Project came about after a demographic study of villages on the island of Sardinia in Italy. Sardinia currently has an average life expectancy 4 years greater than the US and more individuals per capita 100 years old or over in the world. Ironically, it has the lowest birth rate per capita in all of Italy due to it’s older population. It was found that residents of this small area of Sardinia were culturally isolated and kept to lifestyle behaviors more in tune with the 19th and early 20th centuries. These include consuming non-processed self cooked meals with locally sourced foods, physical exertion through mostly local agrarian vocations and social interactions relatively uninfluenced by modern technology.

Upon further investigation, there were other Pockets of populations in the world that had a proclivity for longevity. Based on these findings, proponents of the Blue Zones Project consolidated nine characteristic behaviors that were common to these area’s observed longevity. Many of them seem contrary to life in contemporary times. These characteristics are known as the catchphrase, “Power Nine”, involving nine behaviors conducive to a healthy lifestyle. Essentially, those surveyed had a peer group, probably not consciously, that supported a healthy lifestyle. They also had low stress levels, were faith based, had a sense of purpose to their lives and held family in a high regard, often housing grandchildren as well as grandparents. Exercise was part of their lifestyle as agrarians or laborers and their diet had a high grain and vegetable content complemented by a low to moderate alcohol consumption.

These concepts have been brought into the 21st century in an effort to promote healthy behaviors that promote quality of life and longevity. In Southwest Florida, the local Blue Zones Project chapter has been active since 2015, pioneered here by Naples Community Hospital, a large health care concern in the area. 

They sponsor a number of activities, such as healthy cooking classes, purpose workshops, walking groups and volunteer opportunities. They also designate local businesses and groups as Blue Zone Project approved. Though hard and fast criteria in this regard are hard to quantify, they generally revolve around promoting a healthy lifestyle. At present there are over 140 Blue Zone Project approved entities in the area, almost certain to grow.

For example, the Naples Art Association is an organization that has promoted predominately visual arts in the area for over 60 years. They have made their facility smoke free, championed volunteer opportunities and made bike racks available to promote bicycling as an alternative mode of local, healthy and carbon free transportation. 

The Naples Botanical Gardens provides volunteer opportunities, various exhibitions and family friendly events and provides healthy opportunities such as walking to tour their 170 acre facility.

Local restaurants have not been a stranger to the Blue Zones Project, at present there are almost 20 unique restaurant Brands. These include restaurants that not only have healthy food choices, but also provide an incentive for healthy behaviors. For example, Palladio Trattoria, a restaurant with an Italian theme recently Blue Zones certified, offers 50% off of pasta dishes for those that cycle to the restaurant in addition to healthy dining options. 

Other restaurants, such as BRK Pizza, offer gluten free pizzas while a number of others do not charge a split charge to promote smaller portion sized meals.

As far as dining is concerned Blue Zones Project approval offers patrons a greater selection of healthier eating choices and expands the availability of options for those that are vegetarian or vegan. 

CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services)  provides financial incentives for health care institutions to reduce a number of hospital-acquired conditions such as infections in addition to reducing hospital readmission rates. Perhaps one day businesses and communities will also be provided financial incentives for incorporating healthy behaviors promoted by the Blue Zones Project into their community or business models.

It’s a wrap for another post on Forks.

Blue Zones Project-Southwest Florida