It’s a common belief that people’s lifespan is primarily determined by genetic factors – if your grandparents lived into their 90s, for instance, you might assume you will too. However, a ground-breaking new study conducted by Oxford Population Health challenges this notion, showing that our daily habits and choices have a much greater impact on our longevity than our genes.
Published in Nature Medicine, the study analysed data from over 490,000 participants in the UK Biobank – one of the largest health databases in the world. The findings revealed that lifestyle and environmental factors play a much larger role in mortality risk and ageing compared to genetics. In fact, environmental factors accounted for approximately 17% of the variation in mortality risk, while genetics explained less than 2%.
In practical terms, this means that the decisions we make every day – such as what we eat, how often we exercise, whether we smoke and how we manage stress – are not just about our current well-being. These habits build up over time, either establishing a strong foundation for a longer, healthier life or leading to chronic diseases and premature ageing.
The study identified 25 key environmental factors that impact mortality and biological ageing. Among these, four were particularly significant:
Smoking: This habit is linked to a significantly higher risk of death and is associated with at least 21 major diseases, including heart disease, cancer and respiratory illnesses.
Living Conditions: The quality of housing and neighbourhood environments plays a critical role in health and longevity.
Physical Inactivity: A lack of regular exercise is strongly associated with premature death and poor health outcomes. Conversely, regular physical activity is linked to a reduced risk of at least 17 different conditions.
Poor Diet and Excess Body Weight: These factors have long-term effects on health, accelerating biological ageing and increasing the risk of chronic diseases.
What’s particularly encouraging is that even people with a high genetic risk of early death can live longer by adopting healthy habits. This means it’s never too late – or too early – to make changes that can dramatically impact your health and future.
For young people, this study serves as a reminder that health isn’t something to take for granted. In your teens or 20s, it might not seem like a big deal to eat fast food every day, stay up late or skip exercise. However, the consequences of these choices build over time.
This is why it’s essential to take care of your body starting now. Adopting a balanced diet, engaging in regular physical activity, getting adequate rest, avoiding smoking and managing stress are key steps in protecting your future and investing in a longer, healthier life.
To support you on this journey, we hold our Health Day services every Tuesday. Join us at your nearest Universal Church for practical advice on building a healthier lifestyle and integrating your faith with any medical treatment you may be following. The choices you make today shape who you will become tomorrow!
Event: Health Day
Day and time: Tuesdays at 7.30pm (also at 7am, 10am & 3pm)
Location: At your nearest Universal Church
Please note that the Universal Church’s spiritual advice is to be seen as a complement to the scientifically proven treatment you may be receiving. The Universal Church does not claim to heal people but believes that God can through the power of faith. Always follow your doctor’s instructions.
Sources: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250219111125.htm
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