Why the Amish Enjoy Better Health: Key Lifestyle Factors Backed by Science

Photo by Randy Fath/Unsplash

By Cade Shadowlight 
 

The extraordinary good health of the Amish (see Part 1) has drawn a lot of interest from the scientific community. Studies have identified several lifestyle and social factors associated with lower rates of chronic conditions like obesity, diabetes, cancer, and infertility compared to the general U.S. population. These findings come from epidemiological research, genetic studies, and comparative analyses. Genetic factors play a role in some health outcomes, but lifestyle elements are frequently highlighted as primary contributors. 

Key Factors From Scientific Studies

 

1- High Levels of Physical Activity: Amish lifestyles involve extensive manual labor, farming, household chores, and non-motorized transportation (walking or horse-drawn buggies), leading to significantly higher daily step counts and vigorous activity compared to non-Amish groups. Adult Amish men average 10 hours per week of vigorous activity, while women average 3.4 hours, contributing to lower body mass indexes (BMIs) and obesity rates around 4% (versus ~42% nationally). This activity is linked to a much lower prevalence of type 2 diabetes even when BMIs are similar to non-Amish. Studies also associate it with better cardiovascular health and longevity, with Amish men living about ~5 years longer than their non-Amish counterparts. 

 

2- Low Tobacco and Alcohol Use: Minimal smoking and alcohol consumption are cultural norms, reducing risks for tobacco-related cancers and other conditions. Amish cancer incidence is ~60% of U.S. rates, with lung cancer notably lower even compared to non-smoking non-Amish populations. Alcohol avoidance also supports lower rates of related chronic diseases.

 

 3- Diet and Nutrition Patterns: Emphasis on homegrown, whole foods with minimal processed items contributes to lower obesity, diabetes, and cancer rates. Overall dietary patterns support metabolic health.

 

4- Strong Community Support: Tight-knit family and community structures provide emotional, practical, and financial support, reducing stress and isolation. This is associated with lower mental health issues (depression rates under 1%) and enhances physical health by encouraging healthy behaviors and elderly care without nursing homes. Social cohesion's mortality benefit is comparable to quitting smoking. Less stress has multiple health benefits, including better sleep, lower blood pressure, and more stable blood glucose levels. 

 

5- Pro-Family Cultural Norms: High fertility rates (6-7 children per woman on average) stem from early marriage and large families being valued (97% of Amish couples have children). Low sexually transmitted disease rates due to monogamy and stigmatization of non-marital sex (STDs can increase the risk of cancer and other health issues). Divorce rate is near zero (it happens, but is extremely rare). Amish women have higher fertility and fewer low-birth weight babies than non-Amish.  

 

6- Genetics: While Amish have slightly higher rates of Ellis-van Creveld syndrome (dwarfism and extra digits) due to founder effects from their small pool of Swiss founders in 1700s, certain other mutations (such as PAI-1 deficiency) are linked to longer, healthier lives, with lower cardiovascular risks.

 

Overall, these six factors lead to comparable or better longevity and healthier lifespans, despite lower modern medicine and healthcare utilization among the Amish. Slightly longer and much healthier lives with less need for doctors and hospitals. 

 

Sources

• https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8857275/
• https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0051560
• https://www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/research/podcast/finding-internal-fountain-of-youth.html
• https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=8963&context=dissertations (PDF)

The next article in this series will take a look at what the Amish themselves say  about their own good health. Sign up for the free email list (click here) to be notified when part 3 drops. 

 

Between Shadows and Light,

Cade Shadowlight 

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P.S. Here is my go to for all things life saving: Refuge Medical & Refuge Training (affiliate link). High quality, American made, first aid kits and medical supplies (training, too!). A 10% discount will automatically be applied at checkout using my links. 

 

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