Doctor lists Santa's naughty and nice habits
Children around the world look to Santa Claus to help them behave well, but this 500-year-old bearer of goodies can also teach adults some lessons about the importance of staying healthy as we grow older.

Is Santa healthy? As with most individuals, there's no absolute answer. In many ways, Santa is the picture of successful aging. In some other ways, though, he certainly has some room for improvement. Here are some of his "naughty" and "nice" health habits:

Naughty: Santa certainly appears like he could afford to lose a few pounds. He should consider skipping some of the cookies that children leave out. Sugary, late-night snacks can contribute to unhealthy weight gain, which increases the risk of developing conditions like type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Also, eating late at night could cause heartburn, a common symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Nice: On the other hand, the milk left with the cookies is a good source of calcium and vitamin D, both of which build strong bones. He should stick to low- or no-fat milk, but drinking milk will help Santa avoid the chance of developing osteoporosis and will reduce his risk of fractures.

Nice - but used to be naughty: Years ago, Santa was often depicted smoking a pipe, a habit he apparently has given up. Most oral cancers occur in people who use tobacco products and lung cancer is still the leading cause of cancer death in America. No matter how old you are, quitting smoking immediately improves your health.

Nice: Preparing all those toys for delivery during one night requires a lot of preparation and Santa can't do it all by himself. Instead, Santa probably works with the elves throughout the year to make the toys and to keep an eye on the naughty and nice list. Studies have shown that maintaining strong social networks is an integral part of healthy living and can even reduce the risk of diseases like dementia.

Nice: Santa keeps lists and checks them twice. This could be a sign that Santa is starting to experience some age-related difficulties with memory. Making lists is an excellent technique for compensating for this sometimes vexing problem.

Nice: Santa keeps a herd of reindeer. Even though pets aren't for everyone, having and caring for them seems to yield several health benefits, including lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Having a pet can also decrease feelings of loneliness and provide opportunities for exercise.

Nice: Marriage is good for the mind and body. Research has shown that married individuals are much more likely to be active and less likely to experience psychological problems or engage in unhealthy habits like smoking.

Dr. Anita Chopra Director of Education and

Clinical Programs

New Jersey Institute for Successful Aging, UMDNJSchool

of Osteopathic Medicine

Stratford