Environment trumps genes in aging and mortality: A UK Biobank study
A study published in Nature Medicine used data from nearly half a million UK Biobank participants to investigate the impact of 164 environmental factors and genetic risk scores for 22 major diseases on aging, age-related diseases, and premature death. The research revealed that environmental factors explained 17% of the variation in death risk, compared to less than 2% explained by genetic predisposition. Smoking, socioeconomic status, physical activity, and living conditions were found to have the most significant impact. Early life exposures, such as body weight at age 10 and maternal smoking, also influenced aging and premature death risk decades later. The findings highlight the potential benefits of interventions focused on improving socioeconomic conditions, reducing smoking, and promoting physical activity.