A new study published in Annals of Medicine has found that smoking, heavy alcohol consumption, and lack of exercise can start to affect health as early as 36 years old. Researchers from Finnish universities followed a group of children born in the city of Jyväskylä from childhood until their early 60s.
The study analyzed participants’ mental and physical health through surveys and medical records at various stages of life, including when they were 27 and 61 years old. Mental health was assessed through surveys on depression and psychological wellbeing, while physical health was measured using a metabolic risk score based on blood pressure, waist size, and other factors.
The results showed that individuals who engaged in all three unhealthy habits (smoking, heavy drinking, and lack of exercise) had poorer mental and physical health compared to those who did not. Specifically, lack of exercise was linked to poor physical health, while smoking was mainly associated with poor mental health.
Lead author Dr. Tiia Kekäläinen emphasized the importance of adopting healthier habits early on to prevent damage from building up over time. “It is never too late to change,” she said. However, researchers noted that the findings may not be as relevant to younger generations due to cultural and societal changes.
The study’s findings highlight the need for individuals to adopt healthier lifestyles, particularly in midlife, to reduce their risk of developing non-communicable diseases such as heart disease and cancer. By following a healthy lifestyle, people can cut their risk of developing these illnesses and reduce their odds of an early death.
Source: https://people.com/smoking-drinking-alcohol-not-exercising-trigger-health-problems-exact-age-study-finds-11721929