Secret Of Long Life - Diet, Interbreeding Or Faith

Okinawa (Japan), Ovodda (Sardinia) and Loma Linda (California), all have one thing in common. They are cited as three communities where the population live longer than most other places in the world. A recent report set out to examine the lifestyles and diets of these communities in an attempt to unearth the secrets that bring about this phenomenon.
Okinawa (Japan)
In the case of Okinawa diet appears to be the most significant factor in their longevity. Apparently, the Okinawan's have a tradition known as 'hava hatchi bu' which means 'eat until you are 80% full'. They eat more tofu and soya products than any other population in the world, their diet also includes a vast range of fruit and vegetables. Scientists refer to it as the rainbow diet. Could diet be the determining factor in their long life spans?
Ovodda (Sardinia)
The inhabitants of Ovodda, on the other hand, have a predominantly meat diet. A Professor Deiana concluded that this community owe their longevity to interbreeding. "Marriage among relatives is not the rule but there are some cases of it taking place" says Professor Deiana. This is brought about because the community lives in relative isolation, marrying into each others families.
Loma Linda (California)
The people of Loma Linda are thought to owe their longevity to their faith. A significant number of people in the town are Seventh Day Adventist's, a religion who's members live between five and ten years longer than fellow citizens. Regular churchgoers live longer than those who do not go to church and it is believed that is due to their faith counteracting stress. It must be said however, that Adventist's neither drink nor smoke and many have a vegetarian diet as advised by the church. So, do some or all of these factors ensure a long life, or do other influences also play a part?
As one wag said "Try Wokingham. You don't live longer, but it seems like it."

Icelandic Warmth

At the end of 2008 the three largest private banks in Iceland were taken into Government administration within the space of a few days. The collapse of the banks had a tremendous impact on Iceland's relatively small economy. Many British companies and especially councils had invested heavily in the Icelandic financial system where high rates of interest were available to investors. The crisis, brought about by economic downturn, a huge increase in external debt, increasing unemployment and inflation, had a tremendous adverse effect on the peoples lives. Nevertheless, against this backdrop of personal hardship the Icelandic people, in a massive commitment of goodwill, have put aside their personal problems to send a whole shipload of woolly jumpers to the UK, after a radio interview warned that British pensioners could die this winter because of the cold.
Whilst I have nothing but admiration for the Icelandic people in making this gesture, I must admit, I felt very uneasy whilst watching this story unfold on television. The reason being, that we are more used to seeing Britain making aid donations to other countries who's plight is desperate. Usually, the recipients of this aid are the peoples of third world countries. Having said that, I cannot help but feel that if Britain continues to slide at the present rate we could eventually become one of those third world countries.

Brainteaser

Here's what you have to do to solve Friday's brainteaser.

Can you think of a four-figure number in which the first digit is half the last digit, the second digit is three less than the third digit,and the third digit multiplied by 2 equals the sum of the first and last digit.

There are two possible answers - can you solve both of them?
Answers will appear in Saturday's Journal.