A combination of four unhealthy habits - smoking, lack of exercise, poor diet and substantial alcohol consumption raises the risk of premature death.
A combination of four unhealthy habits - smoking, lack of exercise, poor diet and substantial alcohol consumption - raises the risk of premature death.
Physical activity, diet, smoking, and alcohol consumption have been shown to be linked to death. To examine the individual and combined effect of these risk factors on the risk of dying, researchers followed 4,886 people from UK, aged 18 years or older, when they were interviewed in 1984-1985. A health behaviour score was calculated, allocating one point for each poor habit: smoking; fruits and vegetables consumed less than three times daily; less than two hours of physical activity per week; and weekly consumption of more than 14 units [one unit equals 8 grams] of alcohol (in women) and more than 21 units in men.
Over an average follow-up period of 20 years, there were 1,080 reported deaths among study participants: 431 due to cardiovascular disease, 318 due to cancer and 331 due to other causes. Compared to those with no bad habits, those with all four bad habits were about three times more likely to die of cardiovascular disease or cancer, four times more likely to die from all other causes, and had an overall death risk equivalent to being 12 years older.
The above findings show that people who smoke, drink, rarely exercise, and have a poor diet die earlier than usual. Lifestyle improvements addressing these risk factors might add years to one's life span.
Physical activity, diet, smoking, and alcohol consumption have been shown to be linked to death. To examine the individual and combined effect of these risk factors on the risk of dying, researchers followed 4,886 people from UK, aged 18 years or older, when they were interviewed in 1984-1985. A health behaviour score was calculated, allocating one point for each poor habit: smoking; fruits and vegetables consumed less than three times daily; less than two hours of physical activity per week; and weekly consumption of more than 14 units [one unit equals 8 grams] of alcohol (in women) and more than 21 units in men.
Over an average follow-up period of 20 years, there were 1,080 reported deaths among study participants: 431 due to cardiovascular disease, 318 due to cancer and 331 due to other causes. Compared to those with no bad habits, those with all four bad habits were about three times more likely to die of cardiovascular disease or cancer, four times more likely to die from all other causes, and had an overall death risk equivalent to being 12 years older.
The above findings show that people who smoke, drink, rarely exercise, and have a poor diet die earlier than usual. Lifestyle improvements addressing these risk factors might add years to one's life span.
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