In a new study, researchers found that a very healthy lifestyle is linked to up to 6.3 years longer life for men and 7.6 years for women, regardless of the presence of multiple chronic conditions.
The research was conducted by a team at the University of Leicester.
The number of people living with two or more long-term physical or mental health conditions is rapidly increasing worldwide, and they have poorer health outcomes and higher mortality risk.
A healthy lifestyle has been linked to longer life expectancy, but it has not been clear if this is also the case in people with multiple chronic conditions.
In the study, the team analyzed data collected between 2006 and 2010 from 480,940 adults (median age of 58 years) in the UK Biobank. The participants were followed up until 2016.
The researchers assessed the presence of 36 chronic conditions and four self-reported lifestyle factors: leisure-time physical activity, smoking, diet, and alcohol consumption.
They found in men with multiple chronic conditions, a healthy score was linked to a strong gain of 4.5 years, and a very healthy score was linked to a statistically significant gain of 6.3 years.
Corresponding estimates in women—6.4 years and 7.6 years—were all statistically significant gains.
A healthier lifestyle was consistently associated with longer life expectancy and irrespective of multiple long-term medical conditions.
Among lifestyle factors, no current smoking was linked to the largest survival benefit.
At 45 years, current smokers had an estimated 5 to 6 years shorter life expectancy versus current non-smokers.
The findings suggest that public health recommendations about adopting a healthy lifestyle to reduce the risk of developing chronic long-term conditions apply equally to individuals who already have multiple chronic conditions.
This study has important implications for the public’s health, as the researchers hope the findings have shown that it’s never too late to make vital lifestyle changes.
One author of the study is Yogini Chudasama.
The study is published in PLOS Medicine.
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