Is the world’s oldest person alive really 210 years old?
Have you ever heard the phrase “age is just a number?” This saying might ring true for some, but when it comes to determining the oldest person in the world, age is everything. In recent years, there has been significant debate over whether the world’s oldest person alive is truly as old as they claim, with some experts suggesting that many of these purported centenarians may be exaggerating their age. In this article, we’ll explore the fascinating world of supercentenarians, take a closer look at some of the oldest people ever documented, and get to the bottom of whether the world’s oldest person alive is really 210 years old.
What exactly is a supercentenarian?
In order to understand the debate over the world’s oldest person, we need to first establish what we mean when we talk about supercentenarians. A supercentenarian is someone who has reached or surpassed the age of 110 years old. While there are thousands of centenarians (people who have lived to be 100 or older) around the world, only a select few make it to the coveted title of supercentenarian. As you might imagine, reaching this age is a truly remarkable achievement that very few people are able to attain. In fact, according to the Gerontology Research Group, there are currently only around 50 verified supercentenarians in the world.
A brief history of the world’s oldest people
Throughout human history, there have been countless claims of people living to incredibly old ages, including some who allegedly reached well over 200 years old. However, for obvious reasons, it can be difficult to verify these claims, and many of them remain shrouded in myth and legend. It wasn’t until the 20th century that we began to see more reliable documentation of extreme old age, thanks in large part to advancements in healthcare and record-keeping.
One of the earliest well-documented supercentenarians was Jeanne Calment, a Frenchwoman who lived to be 122 years old before passing away in 1997. Calment’s remarkable longevity has been the subject of much study and research over the years, with some experts suggesting that her genes, diet, and lifestyle may have all contributed to her longevity. Since then, there have been numerous other supercentenarians who have made headlines around the world, including Nabi Tajima, who passed away in 2018 at the age of 117, and Kane Tanaka, who is currently recognized as the world’s oldest living person at the age of 118.
Why is there controversy over the world’s oldest person?
With so many claims of extreme old age floating around, it’s no surprise that there is some degree of controversy over who truly holds the title of world’s oldest person. Some experts have suggested that many of the claims made by supposed supercentenarians are simply not true, and that these individuals may be either overstating their age or mistaken about how old they really are. Others point to issues with record-keeping and reliability, noting that in many parts of the world, official birth records were not kept until relatively recently.
Furthermore, some experts point out that even if someone is able to produce a valid birth certificate, there are still a number of factors that could contribute to errors in age reporting. For example, in certain parts of the world, it’s not uncommon for people to celebrate birthdays on different dates depending on their cultural or religious traditions. Additionally, language barriers or misunderstandings between census takers and respondents could also lead to errors in age reporting.
What does the future hold for supercentenarians?
As the global population continues to age, it’s likely that we will see more and more people living to extremely old ages in the coming years. However, as we’ve seen, verifying the ages of these individuals can be challenging, and questions about who truly holds the title of world’s oldest person are likely to persist. That said, there’s no denying that supercentenarians offer us a glimpse into a world of extreme longevity that has fascinated humans for centuries.
Conclusion
So, is the world’s oldest person alive really 210 years old? It’s impossible to say for certain, as there is some degree of controversy over who holds this title and how reliable age reporting can be. That said, there is no denying the incredible feats of those who have managed to live to 110 years old or beyond. With continued advancements in healthcare and record-keeping, we may one day have a better understanding of what it takes to achieve extreme longevity. For now, we can simply marvel at the remarkable resilience and fortitude of those who have lived such long lives, and aspire to follow in their footsteps.
