Exact age signs of 'poor health choices' like smoking and drinking start to show

A new study has revealed the age when you start to feel the effects of smoking, drinking and not exercising

Researchers have uncovered the exact age that people begin showing signs of "poor health choices" like drinking and smoking.

According to a new study that tracked people for more than 30 years, stopping these behaviours earlier could prevent health problems in later life.

It has long been known that our lifestyle choices have a profound impact on our health and risk of early death.

Smoking is a known cause of a number of cancers, as well as heart and breathing problems, while a lack of exercise and too much alcohol are linked to cancers, heart attacks and stroke.

Now, new research has revealed that the effects of smoking, drinking too much and not exercising enough are felt by the age of 36.

Dr Tiia Kekalainen, a health scientist 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."

Researchers looked at data from 326 people when they were 27 years old and again when they were aged 36, 42, 50 and 61. The surveys assessed depression and psychological wellbeing, while physical health was assessed from blood pressure, waist size, as well as levels of blood sugar, cholesterol and other fats in the blood.

People were also asked to rate their health and three risky behaviours were measured at each time point: smoking, heavy drinking and exercising less than once a week.

The study found that people with all three risky behaviours had worse mental and physical health than those who had none – and having all three unhealthy behaviours long term was even more strongly associated with poor health.

In those who reported long-term risky behaviour, depressive symptoms rose by 0.38 points, metabolic risk score – calculated on physical health data – rose by 1.49 points, psychological wellbeing fell by 0.14 points and self-rated health fell by 0.45 points.

The researchers wrote that "the findings of the present study suggest that the associations were mainly similar across time from age 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."

Dr Kekalainen added: "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 research was published in the journal Annals of Medicine.