Scientists have linked lifestyle to biological aging
Biological aging can depend not only on genetics and individual habits, but also on the conditions in which a person grows and lives. The researchers found that the combination of environmental and lifestyle influences in childhood and adolescence explained about 28% of the differences in people's biological age by the age of 22. About what factors may be associated with accelerated aging and why living conditions are important, see the Izvestia article.
Biological aging can manifest itself already in youth.
Researchers from the University of Jyvaskyla have studied how living conditions and lifestyle in childhood and adolescence are related to biological aging in early adulthood. The results of the work are published in the journal Environment International (EI).
The researchers used data from a longitudinal study of twins and estimated the participants' epigenetic age by 22 years. Unlike the calendar age, which is determined by the number of years lived, the biological age reflects the peculiarities of the aging process of the body. To evaluate it, the researchers used epigenetic indicators.
In total, the scientists examined 186 factors related to lifestyle and the environment. They included the characteristics of the place of residence, the presence of green spaces, air pollution and socio-demographic conditions. The totality of the studied effects in childhood and adolescence explained about 28% of the differences in the epigenetic age of the participants by the age of 22. The authors note that this indicates a possible role of the environment in the formation of differences in biological aging already in youth.
Scientists have assessed the totality of effects on the body
The study used the concept of an exposome — a set of environmental and lifestyle influences that a person encounters throughout his life. This approach allows us to consider not a single factor, but many conditions at the same time.
The analysis included characteristics of daily habits, environment, and place of residence. In particular, the researchers assessed the landscaping, air pollution, and socio-demographic characteristics of the areas.
To analyze a large number of variables, the scientists used machine learning methods. They helped to identify patterns between the studied factors and epigenetic age, including connections that are more difficult to detect when considering each indicator individually.
However, the results do not mean that each of the factors included directly affects the rate of aging. The study reveals statistical relationships and allows us to identify areas for further study.
Some factors have been linked to accelerated aging
Among the factors associated with faster biological aging, the researchers identified smoking and unemployment at a young age. The results indicate that differences in biological age may be related not only to individual habits, but also to social circumstances. At the same time, a higher proportion of tree cover and a higher vegetation index were associated with slower aging. Scientists have also found a connection with the age structure of the population in the area of residence.
According to the publication, these results do not allow us to assert that a particular factor by itself accelerates or slows down aging. The observed patterns may be influenced by other environmental and lifestyle features that are difficult to completely separate from each other. Thus, the study shows that biological age is associated with a set of circumstances that form long before adulthood.
Green spaces have shown an ambiguous relationship with aging
Not all the results of the study coincided with the expectations of scientists. In particular, a large area of green spaces was associated with faster biological aging. At the same time, a higher proportion of trees and a higher vegetation index, on the contrary, predicted slower aging.
Another unexpected result was the relationship between the black carbon content in the air and biological age.: This indicator predicted slower aging, although air pollution is usually considered a health risk factor.
The authors suggest that such patterns may reflect differences between urban and rural areas. For example, they may be related to the socio-economic conditions and lifestyle characteristics of residents, rather than the independent protective or harmful effect of a particular indicator. Therefore, the results do not mean that large green areas accelerate aging or that air pollution slows it down. Unexpected connections require additional study.
Biological aging does not depend solely on personal choice.
The researchers emphasize that the conditions in which a person grows and lives can be important for their long-term health. At the same time, many impacts are related to the structure of the environment and society, so people are not always able to change them on their own.
Annika Opperbeck, researcher
Our results show that biological age is determined not only by individual choice. Many of the environmental factors we have identified are structural and systemic in nature, which means that people cannot change them on their own, but society can.
The authors believe that early preventive interventions can help change long-term health trajectories and reduce inequalities. However, the study does not prove that specific environmental changes will necessarily lead to a slowdown in aging. In the future, scientists plan to use developing machine learning methods to study in more detail the complex relationships between lifestyle, living conditions and biological age.
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