Lifestyle Not Genetics Affects Life Expectancy
Topic: Fitness and Nutrition
Author: University of Gothenburg
Published: 2011/02/07 - Updated: 2022/06/11
Contents: Summary - Definition - Introduction - Main - Related
Synopsis: How long your parents lived does not affect how long you will live. It is how you live your life that determines life expectancy. It is often assumed that people with parents who lived to be very old are more likely to live to a grand old age. But that's not true - our study shows that hereditary factors don't play a significant role and that lifestyle has the biggest impact. Those who did not smoke consumed moderate amounts of coffee and had an excellent socioeconomic status at the age of 50 (measured in terms of housing costs), as well as good physical working capacity at the age of 54 and low cholesterol at 50, had the most excellent chance of celebrating their 90th birthday.
Introduction
How long your parents lived does not affect how long you will live. Instead it is how you live your life that determines how old you will get, reveals research from the University of Gothenburg recently published in the Journal of Internal Medicine.
Main Digest
It is often assumed that people with parents who lived to be very old are more likely to live to a grand old age themselves.
"But that's just not true - our study shows that hereditary factors don't play a major role and that lifestyle has the biggest impact," says professor emeritus Lars Wilhelmsen, referring to the 1913 Men study that formed the basis of the current research.
Those who did not smoke, consumed moderate amounts of coffee, and had a good socio-economic status at the age of 50 (measured in terms of housing costs), as well as good physical working capacity at the age of 54 and low cholesterol at 50, had the greatest chance of celebrating their 90th birthday.
"We're breaking new ground here," says Wilhelmsen. "Many of these factors have previously been identified as playing a role in cardiovascular disease, but here we are showing for the first time that they are important for survival in general."
He believes that it is significant that the research illustrates so clearly that we do not "inherit" mortality to any great extent, but instead that it is the sum of our habits that has the biggest impact.
"The study clearly shows that we can influence several of the factors that decide how old we get," says Wilhelmsen. "This is positive for the individual and society as it doesn't entail major drug costs."
The study has been published in the Journal of Internal Medicine.
Study of Men Born in 1913
The 1913 Men epidemiological study started in 1963. A third of all-male 50-year-olds in Gothenburg were called for a check-up that focused on cardiovascular health.
Every ten years since, a new group of 50-year-olds have been called in, and those already taking part in the study have been given another check-up. This has enabled researchers to follow the development of illnesses in a specific age group and compare the health of 50-year-olds in 2003 with that of 50-year-olds in 1963, for example.
Women have also been included in the study since 2003. Several variables have been studied, including BMI, smoking, cholesterol, exercise, and blood pressure.
The men born in 1913 were examined when they were 50, 54, 60, 67, 75, and 80. Of the 855 men who took part in the study from the start, 111 (13%) were still alive at the age of 90.
The material has generated many research articles and doctoral theses over the years. An interesting result came in 2008 when researchers were able to show that the drop in the number of smokers, combined with lower cholesterol levels and blood pressure, between 1963 and 2003 could explain the marked downturn in the number of heart attacks during these 40 years.
How Long Will I Live - Life Span Expectancy Chart
Attribution/Source(s):
This quality-reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World due to its significant relevance to the disability community. Originally authored by University of Gothenburg, and published on 2011/02/07 (Edit Update: 2022/06/11), the content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity. For further details or clarifications, University of Gothenburg can be contacted at gu.se/en. NOTE: Disabled World does not provide any warranties or endorsements related to this article.
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Cite This Page (APA): University of Gothenburg. (2011, February 7 - Last revised: 2022, June 11). Lifestyle Not Genetics Affects Life Expectancy. Disabled World. Retrieved September 7, 2024 from www.disabled-world.com/fitness/lifestyle.php
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