Vicksburg residents Nellie Caldwell, left, Liz Redmon, second from left, and Dr. Scott Sullivan of River Region Medical Center, right, visit with Art Linkletter during the Senior Day of Health at Rainbow Arena Wednesday.( The Vicksburg Post/C. Todd Shermann)

[08/22/02]It is never too late to change bad habits, Art Linkletter said in Vicksburg Wednesday.

About 500 people turned out to hear the 90-year-old Linkletter at the Senior Day of Health, an event sponsored by Rainbow Casino, River Region Health System and Vicksburg Warren County Chamber of Commerce Retirement Development.

The event will become an annual offering to the community, said Philip Clendenin, chief executive officer of River Region, because of the large turnout. In addition to Linkletter, a radio and TV personality who is also a best-selling author, Vicksburg physicians gave 30-minute talks on specific health topics.

After entertaining with stories from his years as host of “House Party,” Linkletter offered a serious message.

“When you are getting old and you know you are getting old, you should begin to be aware that some of the myths of aging do not apply to you and you should do something about your lifestyle,” he said.

As people age, he said they need to concentrate on keeping an active mental and physical life as the primary keys to health.

He said the nation is undergoing an epidemic of obesity and diabetes among older people and conceded genetics are important.

“But, as you get older, genes are overridden by lifestyle,” he said. “You may have perfect genes and you’re going to live to be 100 years old but if you smoke three packs of cigarettes a day, forget the genes.”

Regarding diet, Linkletter pointed to the trend of dining out more and the fat content of some restaurant foods.

“We have to think more and more of prevention, and it’s never too late to start,” he said.

Using University of California studies, Linkletter advocated changes to add years to life. “Right on top of the whole thing is (to stop) smoking and second after that is exercise,” he said.

Linkletter said the exercise can be as simple as walking or swimming or stretching and should be done at least three times a week for a half hour at a time.

Medical checkups are important, he said, and so is avoiding social isolation.

“If you are living alone and are not having an active social life, you are deteriorating,” he said. “You are not exercising your mind.” Having a purpose in life is also important for older people, Linkletter said. They should be involved in church, the community, politics or volunteering for community work.

“It makes all the difference in the world,” he said.