Do presidents age faster than the rest of us?

Since the advent of television, we've been able to watch our presidents age almost by the day. Their faces grow wrinkled, and once-dark hair slowly turns gray.

President Obama had dark hair on his inauguration day. And now, nearly three years later he's a bit grayer.

Pictures: The Aging Presidents

President Obama is noticeably grayer since first taking office.

(Credit: CBS)

No doubt, stress can make a president look older. But does it also take years off his life? An answer came today in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Excluding the four presidents who were assassinated, most of America's chief executives have exceeded their life expectancy.

Of the 34 who died of natural causes, 23 lived -- on average -- 11 years longer than men of their era could expect.

Gerald Ford, who took office at age 61, lived a record 93 years and five months. John Adams, Ronald Reagan and Herbert Hoover also lived into their 90s.

Only 11 presidents failed to reach their life expectancy, including James K. Polk, who died of cholera, just three months after leaving office at age 53.

Why have presidents lived so long? Jay Olshansky, the author of the study, said for the most part, they've been better educated, wealthier and had better health care than the average American.

[Amabud]

They all dye their hair when running for office to make 'em look young,no one notices it then.After they've ben in office people would notice it so they don't.....

[arkajun-2009]

At least with Newt as President, graying hair shouldn't be a problem

[al-glob]

While Americans struggle with this administrations crippling no growth, no jobs, & crush the middle class policies, Obama is will soon be leaving for another 17 day vacation to Hawaii.

All Obummer does is take vacations, retard our ability to be energy sufficient, blame others for the results of his own stupid socialist-fiscal policies, create class warfare & lecture us on our needing to buck-up & pay more taxes !

I'd vote for a sock-puppet over Obummer.

[Atlanticum]

No, duh!

[helmyelsaid]

pressures of their duties,programs.

[bobabrown]

Probably they just used life expectancy incorrectly. They probably looked life expectancy at birth. Since they were fairy old when elected, they should have used life expectancy from that age.

[Jenny65]

There's no doubt it must be stressful. However, the two pics of the current prez are extremes. The "younger" one looks like a pic from a debate where he had on makeup. The second is under a white light making his grays pop more. Also, these men seem to take office at a time when we naturally change more. Men can go from about 27 or so, to about 42 or so, without too much change. Then the hair grays, the muscles soften and the wrinkles set in. But you have to be optimistic. At least you're still alive!

[Mary_K_Craft]

I wish the CBS Evening News with Scott Pelley would report on real news rather than this manufactured horse manure.

[justamaz]

Its either that or too many days without sunscreen on the golf courses or vacationing in Hawaii.

[bootsz]

If I had their health program I think I could live an extra 11 years.
Dick Cheney,s heart pump,can I get that health plan?I know he was not a president or was he?