Researchers have emphasized the need to address the unhealthy lifestyles of excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, and insufficient physical activity promptly.
Many people are quite aware that excessive drinking is detrimental to their health. Additionally, there is widespread understanding of the various health complications and issues that smoking can cause.
A study published last year indicated that smoking a single cigarette could reduce life expectancy by 20 minutes.
Experts frequently highlight the advantages of regular physical activity…however, knowing these benefits and acting on them are two different things.
Despite this knowledge, many individuals worldwide continue to jeopardize their health by smoking, drinking excessively, and neglecting exercise. According to a recent study, these choices could have long-term consequences.
The research conducted by the Laurea University of Applied Sciences in Finland identified when these harmful habits might manifest their negative effects.
For the study, researchers followed the mental and physical health of 326 individuals born in 1959 in the southern Finnish city of Jyväskylä.
Data was gathered from participants at ages 27 (1986), 36 (1995), 42 (2001), 50 (2009), and 61 (2020-2021). At the study’s conclusion, 120 participants had passed away.
Dr. Tiia Kekäläinen, the study’s lead author, stated: “Our findings highlight the importance of tackling risky health behaviors, such as smoking, heavy drinking, and physical inactivity, as early as possible to prevent the damage they do from building up over the years.”
He further explained that developing an unhealthy relationship with any of these behaviors early in life could lead to significant mental and physical health problems by age 36.
The study also found that smoking was associated with poor mental health, exercising less than once a week correlated with poor physical health, and excessive alcohol consumption led to declines in both areas.
Dr. Kekäläinen underscored the long-term benefits of replacing harmful habits with healthier ones, noting that such changes can extend life even if they occur later in life.
He stated: “Non-communicable diseases such as heart disease and cancer cause almost three-quarters of deaths worldwide.
“But by following a healthy lifestyle, an individual can cut their risk of developing these illnesses and reduce their odds of an early death.
“It is never too late to change to healthier habits. Adopting healthier habits in midlife also has benefits for older age.”