Another important aspect of the Amish lifestyle that contrasts significantly to the lifestyle of the average adult is the amount of physical labor the Amish partake in. Building, growing, harvesting, and producing for themselves the various items needed for life, from houses to vegetables, the Amish are physically working every day; they are not stuck inside an office building staring at a screen like most of us. With the rising concern about sedentary lifestyles and its relation to obesity and cancer, it really is no surprise that the Amish community has lower cancer rates.

Not a factor studied by the research group from Ohio, but one that is obviously related, is the fact that the Amish grow all of their own food sources. Everything is natural and no pesticides or artificial fertilizers are used. Cows are not fed GMO-laden grain and their chickens are not pumped full of antibiotics. Their produce is not sprayed with harmful chemicals, nor is any of their food combined with artificial colorings or preservatives.