A study of more than 700,000 U.S. veterans found that eight specific healthy lifestyle habits adopted in middle age can significantly extend lifespan, combat chronic disease and improve longevity. The role of lifestyle in promoting
A large study details the increase in life expectancy associated with healthy lifestyle choices.
A new study of more than 700,000 U.S. veterans found that those who practiced eight healthy lifestyle habits by middle age were significantly more likely to lose weight than those who had few or none of these habits. have been reported to live longer than The eight habits were: physical activity, opioid addiction freedom, smoking cessation, stress management, eating well, not binge eating and drinking regularly, good sleep hygiene, and positive social behavior. to have a relationship.
The results show that men who have all eight habits at age 40 are expected to live an average of 24 years longer than men who have none of these habits. For women, having all eight healthy lifestyle elements in middle age was predicted to increase lifespan by 21 years compared to women who had none of these habits.
“We were really amazed at how much you could get by incorporating one, two, three or all eight of the lifestyle elements,” says VA Health. Xuanmai T. Nguyen, a scientific expert ranked fourth, said. Medical student at Carl Illinois Medical College. “Our findings suggest that adopting a healthy lifestyle is important for both public and personal health. Even a small change in your 60s can make a difference.”
Study details and results
Nguyen presented the findings at NUTRITION 2023, the American Academy of Nutrition’s major annual meeting.
In this study, scientists compared 719,147 people enrolled in the VA Million Veterans Program, a large, nationally representative study of U.S. veterans from 2011 to 2019. We used data from collected medical records and questionnaires. The analysis included data from adults aged 40 to 99, including 33,375 who died during follow-up.
Estimated impact of adopting a varying number of healthy lifestyle factors on increased life expectancy in men compared with men who do not have any of these habits. Adopting healthier lifestyle elements at a young age is associated with the greatest increase in life expectancy, but incorporating some of these elements, or even just incorporating them later in life, is still significant. may result in extended lifespan.Credit: VA Million Veteran Program
Overall, the results showed that reduced physical activity, opioid use and smoking had the greatest impact on lifespan. These factors were associated with an approximately 30-45% increased risk of death during the study period. Stress, binge eating, poor diet, and poor sleep hygiene were each associated with an approximately 20% increased risk of death, and lack of positive social relationships was associated with a 5% increased risk of death.
Estimates of the impact of adopting a different number of healthy lifestyle factors on increasing life expectancy in women compared to women who do not have any of these habits. Adopting healthier lifestyle elements at a young age is associated with the greatest increase in life expectancy, but incorporating some of these elements, or even just incorporating them later in life, is still significant. may result in extended lifespan.Credit: VA Million Veteran Program
Impact and future direction
The findings, the researchers say, support the implication of lifestyle factors in chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease, which lead to premature disability and death. The results also help quantify how healthy lifestyle choices help people reduce their risk of such diseases and live longer.
“Lifestyle medicine aims to treat the root cause of a chronic disease, not the symptoms,” says Nguyen. “This provides a potential avenue for the ever-increasing healthcare costs of prescription drugs and surgical procedures.”
The estimated increase in life expectancy when adopting the eight healthy lifestyle factors was slightly smaller with increasing age, but was still significant. This means that adopting healthier habits in old age can still help you live longer. “It’s never too late to adopt a healthy lifestyle,” says Nguyen.
As an observational study, Nguyen noted that the study does not provide conclusive proof of causation. However, the findings are consistent with a growing body of research supporting the role of lifestyle factors in preventing chronic disease and promoting healthy aging.
