How Much of Our Lifespan is Shaped by Our Environment and Choices?
One of the most enduring questions humans have is how long we’re going to live. With this comes the question of how much of our lifespan is shaped by our environment and choices, and how much is predetermined by our genes.
What the Researchers Did
This study used data from the UK Biobank, a large database in the United Kingdom that contains in-depth health and lifestyle data from roughly 500,000 people. The data available include genetic information, medical records, imaging and information about lifestyle.
What Did They Find?
The findings were striking, suggesting our environment and lifestyle play a much greater role than our genes in determining our longevity.
Key Exposures
The environmental factors that had the most influence on earlier death and biological ageing included smoking, socioeconomic status, physical activity levels, and living conditions.
What Else Did They Find?
The study found that being taller at age ten was associated with a shorter lifespan, although the reasons are not entirely clear. This aligns with previous research finding taller people are more likely to die earlier.
Carrying more weight at age ten and maternal smoking (if a mother smoked in late pregnancy or when the child was a newborn) were also found to shorten lifespan.
What About Diet?
Surprisingly, the study found no association between diet and markers of biological ageing, as determined by the proteomic profiling. This flies in the face of extensive evidence showing the crucial role of dietary patterns in chronic disease risk and longevity.
Limitations
Key exposures in this study were only measured at a single point in time, and not tracked over time, introducing potential errors into the results.
Also, as this was an observational study, we can’t assume associations found represent causal relationships.
Finally, it’s possible this study may have underestimated the role of genetics in longevity. It’s important to recognize genetics and environment don’t operate in isolation. Rather, health outcomes are shaped by their interplay, and this study may not have fully captured the complexity of these interactions.
The Future is (Largely) in Your Hands
The results of this study reinforce the notion that while we may inherit certain genetic risks, how we eat, move, and engage with the world seems to be more important in determining how healthy we are and how long we live.
Ultimately, the results of this study offer an empowering message that longevity is largely shaped by the choices we make.
Conclusion
This study shows that our environment and lifestyle play a much greater role than our genes in determining our longevity. This has significant implications for public health policy and our understanding of the factors that influence our health and well-being.
FAQs
Q: What did the study find?
A: The study found that environmental factors, such as smoking, socioeconomic status, physical activity levels, and living conditions, play a much greater role than genetics in determining our longevity.
Q: What were the limitations of the study?
A: The study had limitations, including only measuring key exposures at a single point in time, and not tracking them over time, and being an observational study, which means we can’t assume causal relationships.
Q: What are the implications of the study?
A: The study has significant implications for public health policy and our understanding of the factors that influence our health and well-being. It suggests that our lifestyle choices, such as diet, exercise, and social factors, play a much greater role than our genetic makeup in determining our longevity.
