Less likely to engage in dangerous behavior.
Sorry men, but as more Americans reach the ripe old age of 100; new study finds a vast majority are women.
In fact, the 2010 Census showed 80% of those 100 years and older are women.
Dr. Nasiya Ahmed at the UT Health Science Center says unlike most men, women aren't playing football, smoking cigars and drinking heavily at a young age.
"They're exercising and eating better, they're more compliant with medications, they're more likely to see the doctor if something is wrong," Dr. Ahmed tells KTRH News.
A majority of centenarians were Caucasian, but Ahmed is quick to point out that genetics plays a major role in growing old, so does socioeconomic status.
"They're more educated about taking care of their health, or maybe financially they can afford their medications," she says.
The Census also found most centenarians live in the South.
"The weather is really beautiful, you can drive any day," says Ahmed. "It's not cold, it's not rainy, it makes life easier when you don't have to go out and shovel snow."
But the men who are 100, they tend to be more independent, living outside the nursing home.
