Lies, Damned Lies, and Statistics

I get many reader comments about how confusing all the news on anti-aging is to them. They try to keep abreast, but end up being overwhelmed by all the information. One day eggs are bad for us; the next day they’re not. We’re told synthetic preservatives save lives; then that they’re bad for our health. People don’t know who or what to believe.

Have you been following the latest controversy about the research behind the theory of Global Warming? That’s just one example of how people can be misled by “scientific” data. If researchers falsify data or construct their study to deliberately mislead for political for financial gain, I say shame on them!

But statistics can and sometimes do lead to incorrect conclusions. One of my statistics professors loved to quote Mark Twain at the start of each semester, “There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics”.

Deliberate falsification aside, the more usual way that statistics can lead to faulty conclusions is in their interpretation. Statistics can only reveal trends and correlations; not cause and effect. The selection of data points and time span are critical to the conclusions.

I hope that the data mined for the Seeman UCLA study (which I’ve been blogging about) will prove to be the third kind of lie – a poor use of statistical data. The conclusion that more of us are heading toward what I dubbed Early Onset Disability is not one we should take lightly. In fact I want to prove the study wrong and I want you to help.

As I look at the program I put together in this blog (between November 15 and yesterday), I’m thinking I should compile and condense it into a free e-book to spread the word. (I'm holding that thought for a while.)

Tomorrow I want to get back to some lighter topics, like beauty tips and new product reviews, but please don’t forget the message of the last two weeks.

Aging is inevitable; but maintaining the highest possible quality of life as we age is a choice. Let’s choose to be the best we can be!

Tags: avoid disability, boomer wake-up call, age-appropriate exercise, anti-aging supplements, drink in moderation, stop smoking, healthy lifestyle choices, quality of life