Readily available epidemiological data sets have grown considerably in size over the past few decades, with the UK Biobank as an example of the type. Here, researchers use this data on correlations between lifestyle and mortality to make an assessment of the optimal choices. It is somewhat taken as read that better choices in the matter of weight, exercise, and so forth do in fact reduce mortality - that the correlation does in this case imply causation. That is the consensus, and well supported by animal studies of the effects of lifestyle factors on long term health, in which causation can be demonstrated. It is reasonable to expect that most of the lifestyle effects on mortality are similar across mammals, although one should probably also expect differences in the size of effect for any given relationship.
A prospective cohort study was conducted using data from over half a million UK Biobank participants. Two datasets were created by subjective and objective measurements of physical activity: the Subjective Physical Activity (SPA) and Objective Physical Activity (OPA) datasets. Lifestyle patterns, including diet habits, exercise levels, and sleep quality, were assessed within these datasets. Biological aging was quantified using validated methods, including Homeostatic Dysregulation, Klemera-Doubal Method Biological Age, Phenotypic Age, and Telomere Length. All-cause mortality data were obtained from the National Health Service.
The findings indicate that, in most cases, maintaining an anti-inflammatory diet, engaging in at least moderate physical activity, and ensuring healthy sleep conditions are associated with delayed physiological aging (Cohen's d ranging from 0.274 to 0.633) and significantly reduced risk of all-cause mortality (hazard ratio for SPA: 0.690; hazard ratio for OPA: 0.493). These effects are particularly pronounced in individuals under 60 years of age and in women. However, it was observed that the level of physical activity recommended by the World Health Organization (600 MET-minutes/week) does not achieve the optimal effect in delaying biological aging. The best effect in decelerating biological aging was seen in the high-level physical activity group (≥ 3000 MET-minutes/week). The study also highlights the potential of biological age acceleration and telomere length as biomarkers for predicting the risk of mortality.
Link: https://doi.org/10.1186/s11556-024-00362-7
View the full article at FightAging
