A recent study conducted by researchers at Oxford University has revealed that nurture, as opposed to nature, plays a significant role in determining an individual’s risk of developing major diseases and premature death. The study, which assessed 164 environmental factors and genetic risk scores for 22 diseases, found that environmental factors accounted for 17% of the variation in death risk, while genetic predisposition explained less than 2%.
Factors such as smoking, socioeconomic status, and physical activity were found to have the most impact on an individual’s health. Surprisingly, lifestyle choices such as gym use, cheese consumption, and nap frequency were also found to play a role in determining risk. Additionally, living conditions, including living arrangements, household income, and heating sources, were found to be important factors.
The study also highlighted the impact of early life exposures on an individual’s risk of premature death, with influences such as weight at age 10 and maternal smoking around the time of birth having lasting effects.
Researchers emphasized the importance of prevention, as the study demonstrated the potential benefits of improving socioeconomic conditions, reducing smoking, and promoting physical activity in mitigating the risks of chronic diseases. The study, which used data from over one million participants in the UK Biobank, found that environmental factors had a greater influence on lung, heart, and liver diseases, while genetic factors played a larger role in dementia and certain cancers.
Overall, the study underscores the idea that while genetics may predispose individuals to certain conditions, lifestyle and environmental factors play a crucial role in determining health outcomes. Experts highlighted the need for interventions targeting environments, socioeconomic contexts, and behaviors to prevent age-related diseases and premature death.
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