Bad habits like smoking, heavy drinking and lack of exercise start taking their toll at the age of 36, researchers have claimed.
Ditching unhealthy vices early in life was found to boost the odds of having a happy and healthy old age.
Researchers tracked the health of hundreds of children born in 1959 until they were 61 and found those who consistently smoked, boozed and lounged around in their younger years ended up sicker and more depressed.
Crucially, their health started to decline at the age of 36.
‘Our findings highlight the importance of tackling risky health behaviours as early as possible to prevent damage from building up over the years,’ said Dr Tiia Kekäläinen, of Laurea University in Finland.
‘Bad habits in youth culminate in poor mental and physical health later in later life.
‘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.’
Health problems caused by poor lifestyle choices start to kick in at 36, researchers found
Lack of exercise was particularly linked to poor physical health, smoking was mainly linked to poor mental health and heavy alcohol consumption was associated with declines in both mental and physical health.
The impact was greater for those who indulged in unhealthy habits over longer periods of time.
Smoking causes lung cancer and heart and breathing problems, while a lack of exercise and too much alcohol may cause issues such as organ failure, cancer, stroke, heart attack and early death.
Previous research has focused on how bad habits affect people during middle age. The new study, published in Annals of Medicine, followed people from a much younger age to work out when the rot sets in.
The researchers pointed out that bad habits and ill health are probably two-way — depression and physical problems may lead to drinking, smoking and immobility, for instance.
They added the results are most applicable to people born in the late 1950s and early 60s. However, they may not be as relevant to younger generations, who may have different lifestyles and risky habits, such as vaping.
Other lifestyle factors that can have major health impacts, such as diet and drug use, were also not considered as factors.
