Latest news with #TiiaKekalainen
The Star
06-05-2025
- Health
- The Star
That party animal behaviour takes a toll much younger than you think
The thinking may be that your 30s are the new 20s, but research finds that your body can't take the abuse of partying too hard by your 30s. — Vecteezy The effects of smoking, drinking too much and not exercising enough are felt by the age of 36, researchers have warned. By stopping these behaviours early in adulthood and midlife, years of subsequent ill health can be prevented, according to the study, which tracked people for more than 30 years. Smoking causes lung cancer, and heart and breathing problems, while a lack of exercise and too much alcohol are linked to issues such as cancer, stroke, heart attacks and early death. In the new research, published in the Annals of Medicine , experts from Finnish universities found that people as young as 36 were showing signs of poor health choices. The team tracked 326 people when they were 27 years old, and again when they were aged 36, 42, 50 and 61 (when 206 people were included). People's mental health was assessed via surveys on symptoms of depression and psychological well-being, while physical health was measured by creating a metabolic risk score based on blood pressure, waist size, and levels of blood sugar, cholesterol and other fats in the blood. People were also asked to rate their health over the previous year. Symptoms of depression and overall psychological well-being were measured on a scale of one to four, self-rated health was measured on a scale of one to five, and metabolic risk was scored from zero to five. Three risky behaviours were assessed at each point in time: smoking, heavy drinking and physical inactivity (i.e. exercising less than once a week). The results of the study showed that if people had all three unhealthy habits at a given point in time, their mental and physical health were worse than if they had none. In particular, depressive symptoms rose by 0.1 points, metabolic risk score rose by 0.53 points, psychological well-being fell by 0.1 points and self-rated health fell by 0.45 points. Furthermore, having all three unhealthy behaviours long term was even more strongly associated with poor health. Depressive symptoms rose by 0.38 points, metabolic risk score rose by 1.49 points, psychological well-being fell by 0.14 points and self-rated health fell by 0.45 points if this was the case. Health scientist Dr Tiia Kekalainen, who worked on the study, said: '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. 'Our findings highlight the importance of tackling risky health behaviours, such as smoking, heavy drinking and physical inactivity, as early as possible to prevent the damage they do from building up over the years, culminating in poor mental and physical health later in life. 'However, it is never too late to change to healthier habits. 'Adopting healthier habits in midlife also has benefits for older age.' The researchers wrote that 'the findings of the present study suggest that the associations were mainly similar across time from ages 36 to 61'. They added: 'Thus, the cumulative association of earlier risky behaviours exists already at age 36 and not only in the later phases of midlife.' – PA Media/dpa
Indian Express
26-04-2025
- Health
- Indian Express
Age 36 is when ill-effects of unhealthy habits during young adulthood start to show, study suggests
A study has suggested that age 36 is when the ill-effects of having unhealthy habits as a young adult — smoking, drinking and physical inactivity — start becoming apparent. Researchers from the University of Jyvaskyla tracked about 370 residents of the Finnish city for over 30 years. Data was collected via surveys and medical tests at ages 27, 36, 42, 50 and 61. Three bad habits — smoking, heavy drinking and a lack of exercise — can lead to declines in health in people as young as 36, according to findings published in the journal Annals of Medicine. The team said that unhealthy behaviours in mid-life — 40s and 50s — are known to increase chances of developing health disorders in old age. However, their analysis showed that the ill-effects of unhealthy behaviours remained similar through the ages 36 to 61, suggesting that the link exists already at age 36 and not only in the later phases of mid-life. Crucially, the ill-effects were apparent by the time the participants were in their mid-30s, the researchers said. 'Our findings highlight the importance of tackling risky health behaviours, such as smoking, heavy drinking and physical inactivity, as early as possible to prevent the damage they do to from building up over the years, culminating in poor mental and physical health later in later life,' lead author Tiia Kekalainen, a health scientist at the University of Jyvaskyla's Gerontology Research Center. However, following a healthy lifestyle can cut one's risk of developing non-communicable disorders such as heart disease and cancer, and reduce chances of an early death, Kekalainen added. A lack of exercise was particularly linked to a poor physical health, and smoking to a poor mental health. Three bad habits — smoking, heavy drinking and a lack of exercise — can lead to declines in health (/Thinkstock) A heavy consumption of alcohol was, however, associated with declines in both mental and physical health. The three unhealthy behaviours were seen to produce stronger ill-effects over a longer term, through increasing depressive symptoms and metabolic risks. 'The findings of the present study suggest that the associations were mainly similar across time from age 36 to 61. Thus, the cumulative association of earlier risky behaviours exists already at age 36 and not only in the later phases of midlife,' the authors wrote. The study's participants were part of a larger long-term research, in which children born in Jyvaskyla in 1959 were followed until their early 60s.
Time of India
25-04-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Age 36 is when ill-effects of unhealthy habits during young adulthood start to show, study suggests
New Delhi: A study has suggested that age 36 is when the ill-effects of having unhealthy habits as a young adult -- smoking, drinking and physical inactivity -- start becoming apparent. Researchers from the University of Jyvaskyla tracked about 370 residents of the Finnish city for over 30 years. Data was collected via surveys and medical tests at ages 27, 36, 42, 50 and 61. Three bad habits -- smoking, heavy drinking and a lack of exercise -- can lead to declines in health in people as young as 36, according to findings published in the journal Annals of Medicine. The team said that unhealthy behaviours in mid-life -- 40s and 50s -- are known to increase chances of developing health disorders in old age. However, their analysis showed that the ill-effects of unhealthy behaviours remained similar through the ages 36 to 61, suggesting that the link exists already at age 36 and not only in the later phases of mid-life. Crucially, the ill-effects were apparent by the time the participants were in their mid-30s, the researchers said. "Our findings highlight the importance of tackling risky health behaviours, such as smoking, heavy drinking and physical inactivity, as early as possible to prevent the damage they do to from building up over the years, culminating in poor mental and physical health later in later life," lead author Tiia Kekalainen, a health scientist at the University of Jyvaskyla's Gerontology Research Center. However, following a healthy lifestyle can cut one's risk of developing non-communicable disorders such as heart disease and cancer, and reduce chances of an early death, Kekalainen added. A lack of exercise was particularly linked to a poor physical health, and smoking to a poor mental health. A heavy consumption of alcohol was, however, associated with declines in both mental and physical health. The three unhealthy behaviours were seen to produce stronger ill-effects over a longer term, through increasing depressive symptoms and metabolic risks. "The findings of the present study suggest that the associations were mainly similar across time from age 36 to 61. Thus, the cumulative association of earlier risky behaviours exists already at age 36 and not only in the later phases of midlife," the authors wrote. The study's participants were part of a larger long-term research, in which children born in Jyvaskyla in 1959 were followed until their early 60s.
Time of India
25-04-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Do you smoke, drink or skip exercise? Study finds exact age when your body starts breaking down, and it's much sooner than you think
People who smoke, drink heavily, or avoid physical activity may begin to see the effects on their health by the time they are 36 years old, according to a long-term study conducted by researchers at the University of Jyvaskyla in Finland. The study tracked around 370 people born in 1959 in the city of Jyvaskyla over a period of more than 30 years. The participants were surveyed and tested medically at five key ages: 27, 36, 42, 50, and 61. #Pahalgam Terrorist Attack India pulled the plug on IWT when Pakistanis are fighting over water Pakistan alleges terror charge on India in its statement What makes this India-Pakistan standoff more dangerous than past ones Health impacts seen well before old age The research, published in the Annals of Medicine, focused on how three habits — smoking, heavy drinking, and lack of exercise — influenced long-term mental and physical health. The study found that the impact of these habits was already visible by age 36, long before typical mid-life or old age health issues appear. Effects steady from 36 to 61 The research team found that the negative effects remained consistent from age 36 through 61. This means that unhealthy behaviours do not just begin to show their impact in the later stages of life but start earlier in adulthood. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Google Brain Co-Founder Andrew Ng, Recommends: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Around Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo Health risks from habits vary A lack of physical activity was mainly linked to poor physical health. Smoking was more closely tied to poor mental health. Heavy alcohol use was connected to declines in both physical and mental health. The researchers said that these three habits, when present over a longer time, could increase symptoms of depression and lead to higher metabolic risks. Live Events Call for early action "Our findings highlight the importance of tackling risky health behaviours, such as smoking, heavy drinking and physical inactivity, as early as possible to prevent the damage they do to from building up over the years, culminating in poor mental and physical health later in later life," said lead author Tiia Kekalainen, a health scientist at the University of Jyvaskyla's Gerontology Research Center. Kekalainen also noted that living a healthy lifestyle can reduce the chances of developing non-communicable diseases such as heart conditions and cancer and can lower the risk of early death. Study based on decades of data The people studied were part of a broader research project that has followed individuals born in Jyvaskyla in 1959 into their early 60s. This long timeline gave researchers a rare view into how lifestyle choices made in early adulthood affect health over several decades. "The findings of the present study suggest that the associations were mainly similar across time from age 36 to 61. Thus, the cumulative association of earlier risky behaviours exists already at age 36 and not only in the later phases of midlife," the authors wrote. (inputs from PTI)
India Today
25-04-2025
- Health
- India Today
By this age your body begins to feel effects of smoking, drinking, not exercising
If you think you can smoke, drink heavily and skip exercise in your 20s and 30s and still live a healthy life in old age, think again.A new long-term study has found these habits could begin harming your body and mind much earlier than expected, even as young as peer-reviewed study, published in the Annals of Medicine, tracked hundreds of people from the Finnish city of Jyvaskyla, born in 1959, from childhood into their 60s. Researchers found that people who smoked, drank heavily, and rarely exercised had poorer mental and physical health by age 36, and the risks only worsened with "Our findings show the importance of addressing unhealthy behaviours early. But the good news is that it's never too late to make positive changes," said lead author Dr Tiia Kekalainen, a health scientist who specialises in study followed 326 people from age 27 and reassessed 206 of them at ages 36, 42, 50 and 61. The researchers analysed their mental health through surveys on depression and psychological well-being, and measured physical health using blood pressure, cholesterol, waist size and other markers. Participants were also asked to rate their own health, and were evaluated for three risky behaviours: smoking, heavy drinking, and exercising less than once a who had all three habits at once showed significant declines in health. They had higher levels of depressive symptoms, poorer self-rated health and a greater risk of diseases like diabetes and heart fact, the metabolic risk score for such individuals rose by 1.49 points over the years, a sharp study found that lack of exercise was most strongly linked to poor physical health, smoking had the worst impact on mental health, and heavy drinking negatively affected researchers noted that the study was observational, meaning it can't prove that bad habits directly cause poor health, though the link is strong. In some cases, poor mental health may have led people to drink or smoke, which then worsened their health further. Having many unhealthy habits over time, like smoking, drinking too much, and not exercising, was linked to poorer mental and physical health. () They concluded that having many unhealthy habits over time, like smoking, drinking too much, and not exercising, was linked to poorer mental and physical health. It's important to stop these habits early in adulthood or middle age to avoid long-term health also acknowledged the study's limitations, including its focus on three behaviours and its older Western sample. Future research could expand this to include diet and newer lifestyle the message is clear: start young, but even if you're late, switching to healthier habits can still make a Reel
