Lifestyle factors and life expectancy
The modifiable factors that research links most strongly to how long people live, from smoking and activity to sleep, diet, and social connection. These are the levers most within your control.
Smoking
Smoking is the single largest modifiable cause of reduced life expectancy in the UK.
Read moreBody weight and BMI
Body weight has a J-shaped relationship with mortality, where both very low and high BMI are associated with higher risk than the middle range.
Read morePhysical activity
Regular physical activity is one of the most consistently beneficial things for life expectancy, with effects on the heart, metabolism, and many other systems.
Read moreAlcohol
Alcohol intake is associated with higher mortality as consumption rises, with no clearly established protective level once study biases are accounted for.
Read moreSleep
Sleep duration has a U-shaped association with mortality, where both short and long sleep are linked to higher risk than around seven to eight hours.
Read moreDiet quality
Diet quality influences life expectancy mainly through cardiovascular and metabolic health.
Read moreSocial connection
Social connection is a less obvious but well-supported factor in life expectancy.
Read moreFamily history
Family history of early death from heart disease or cancer is a modest but real predictor of individual risk.
Read moreEstimate your own range
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