Lifestyle and Environment Matter More Than Genes in Determining Longevity

Recent research has revealed that environmental and lifestyle factors play a far greater role in determining health outcomes and longevity than genetic predisposition. A large-scale study conducted by Oxford Population Health, published in Nature Medicine, examined data from nearly 500,000 participants in the UK Biobank to analyze the effects of 164 environmental exposures and genetic risk scores for 22 major diseases on biological aging and premature death. The results indicate that the impact of lifestyle and environmental conditions significantly outweighs that of inherited genetic traits.

One of the key findings of the study is that environmental factors account for approximately 17% of the variation in mortality risk, whereas genetic influences contribute less than 2%. This suggests that while genes play a role in certain health conditions, the choices individuals make regarding their daily habits and the environments they live in have a much stronger influence on overall health and longevity.

The research identified 25 major environmental factors that significantly affect mortality and biological aging. Among the most influential were smoking, socioeconomic status, physical activity, and living conditions. Smoking, in particular, was one of the strongest predictors of early death, demonstrating the profound effect of modifiable lifestyle choices on long-term health outcomes. Socioeconomic factors, including education and income levels, were also closely linked to health risks, as they influence access to healthcare, nutrition, and overall well-being.

Interestingly, the study also highlighted the long-term effects of early-life exposures on aging and disease risk. Factors such as body weight at age 10 and maternal smoking during pregnancy were found to contribute to accelerated biological aging and increased susceptibility to premature death decades later. These findings emphasize the importance of early-life interventions in shaping long-term health outcomes.

When analyzing the impact of environmental and genetic factors on specific diseases, the study found that lifestyle and environmental exposures had a particularly strong influence on diseases of the lung, heart, and liver. In contrast, genetic predisposition played a more dominant role in conditions such as dementia and breast cancer. This differentiation underscores the complexity of disease development and highlights areas where preventive measures can be most effective.

To assess biological aging, researchers developed an innovative "aging clock" based on blood protein levels, allowing them to track the rate at which individuals age biologically, rather than simply by chronological years. This tool helped identify environmental exposures that predict early mortality and linked them to the acceleration of biological aging.

Professor Cornelia van Duijn, senior author of the study, emphasized the significance of these findings, noting that while genes do influence certain health conditions, there is substantial potential to reduce the risk of chronic diseases through lifestyle and environmental changes. She highlighted the importance of focusing on modifiable factors such as smoking cessation, improved socioeconomic conditions, and increased physical activity to enhance longevity and overall health.

These findings reinforce the idea that public health interventions should prioritize environmental and lifestyle factors to prevent age-related diseases and reduce premature mortality. By addressing the key determinants of health, such as socioeconomic disparities and unhealthy lifestyle choices, society can take significant strides in improving life expectancy and reducing the burden of chronic illness.