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Publish  Age and Ageing

Researchers from Osaka University find that changing lifestyle behaviors can have a marked effect on lifespan, even for individuals with chronic health conditions

Figure 1. Estimation for lifetime gain and 95% interval confidence (95% CI) according to the number of modifiable healthy lifestyles.

Idioms and proverbs about the importance of maintaining good health span the ages. Many emphasize how closely health is tied to happiness and the opportunity to live a fulfilling and enjoyable life. A study published this month in Age and Ageing by The Japan Collaborate Cohort (JACC) Study group at Osaka University assessed the impact of modifying lifestyle behaviors on life expectancy from middle age onwards. The researchers found that adopting five or more healthy lifestyle behaviors increased life expectancy even for individuals >80 years of age and, importantly, including those with chronic conditions.

Lifespan is dependent on social factors such as socioeconomic status, policy factors such as assisted access to healthcare, and lifestyle factors like diet and exercise. The current study used a baseline survey from the JACC study, a large research project of 49,021 individuals conducted from 1988 to1990 in 45 areas of Japan. The aim was to increase knowledge about what factors contribute to death from cancer and cardiovascular disease; thus, the questionnaire included components such as diet, exercise, alcohol intake, smoking status, sleep duration, and body mass index. Points were given for each healthy behavior and the impact of modifying these lifestyle behaviors on projected lifespan was assessed.

The study continued until December 2009, by which time 8,966 individuals had died. The study’s primary author, Dr. Ryoto Sakaniwa said. “The results were very clear. A higher number of modified healthy behaviors was directly associated with a lower risk of mortality for both men and women.” The lifetime gains were highest for reducing alcohol intake, not smoking, losing weight, and increasing sleep, adding up to 6 years of life for healthy 40-year-olds.

This benefit was prominent even among older individuals (80 years or more) and those with one or more major comorbidities including cancer, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, and kidney disease, and in each life stage from middle age onwards. “This is a particularly important finding given that the prevalence of chronic disease has increased globally and is a major cause of death in older populations,” says Senior author, Dr. Hiroyasu Iso. This is one of the first studies to measure the impact of improvements to health behavior among older individuals in a country with a national life expectancy achieving alomost 85 years.

The finding that lifestyle improvements has a positive impact on health despite chronic health conditions and older age is an empowering one, especially given the increasing prevalence of chronic conditions and longer life. The findings of this study will contribute to the design of future healthcare settings, public health approaches, and policies that work in partnership with patients to promote healthy lifestyle choices.

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The article, “Impact of modifiable healthy lifestyle adoption on lifetime gain from middle to older age” was published in Age and Ageing at DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afac080

Summary: Researchers from Osaka University show that making healthy lifestyle choices relating to diet, exercise, alcohol intake, smoking status, sleep duration, and weight management result in a longer lifespan. The benefits of healthy choices were also seen among older individuals and those with one or more serious chronic health conditions. These findings will help inform the development of healthcare practices and policies that educate patients about the benefits of making healthy lifestyle choices.

Tweet 1: Beat the Reaper by making healthy lifestyle choices and add years to your life – even if you have a chronic illness
Tweet 2: Need some tips for living longer when your health isn’t great? New research shows that it’s never too late to add years to your life with healthy choices about diet, exercise, sleep, drinking, and smoking

Primary Keyword: Medicine/Health
Additional Keywords:Healthy lifestyle, diet, exercise, weight management, sleep, smoking, alcohol intake, chronic illness

Method of Research: Observational study

Subject of Research: People

Figure 2. Estimation of lifetime gains at the age of 50, 65, and 80 years according to the number of modifiable healthy lifestyles among patients with none, single, double, and triple or more comorbidities.

Figure 3. Comparison of estimated life expectancies age at 50 years.

Title: “Impact of modifiable healthy lifestyle adoption on lifetime gain from middle to older age”
Journal: Age and Ageing
Authors: Ryoto Sakaniwa, Midori Noguchi, Hironori Imano, Kokoro Shirai, Akiko Tamakoshi and Hiroyasu Iso on behalf of the JACC Study Group
DOI: 10.1093/ageing/afac080

Funded by: Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan