Study Examines Whether Genes Influence How Lifestyle Choices Affect Aging Outcomes

A new international study led by researchers at the University of Adelaide highlights how lifestyle, socioeconomic factors, and genetics work together to shape healthy aging. Published in The Journals of Gerontology: Biological Sciences, the research provides fresh insight into why people age differently, even when they share similar habits.

The study analyzed data from over 13,000 participants in the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging. Researchers focused on “intrinsic capacity,” a key measure of healthy aging that reflects a person’s physical and mental abilities, including mobility, cognition, and social functioning. Higher intrinsic capacity indicates better independence and quality of life as people age.

Findings showed that healthier aging is strongly linked to modifiable lifestyle and social factors. Regular physical activity, a balanced diet, higher education, employment, and active social engagement were all associated with better functional ability. In contrast, smoking and poor sleep—both insufficient and excessive—were tied to lower intrinsic capacity and faster decline.

Importantly, the study revealed that these effects are not uniform. Genetic predisposition can influence how strongly lifestyle factors impact aging. For instance, individuals with a favorable genetic profile experienced less harm from short sleep duration. However, long sleep duration in middle age (45–64 years) was linked to worse outcomes, even among those with genetic advantages.

Adopting a Mediterranean-style diet and achieving higher educational levels showed consistent benefits, regardless of genetic background. Researchers also found that genetic influence on aging is more pronounced in midlife, while accumulated lifestyle and environmental exposures become increasingly important later in life.

The findings emphasize the concept of gene–environment interaction, where biology and daily habits jointly determine health outcomes. While genetics cannot be changed, many key factors—such as diet, exercise, sleep, and social engagement—are modifiable.

Overall, the study underscores a critical message: focusing on maintaining functional ability, rather than simply preventing disease, can significantly improve long-term health and independence.

REFERENCE: Melkamu Bedimo Beyene, Renuka Visvanathan, Robel Alemu, Olga Theou, Beben Benyamin, Matteo Cesari, John Beard, Azmeraw T Amare, Associations and interaction effects of socioeconomic, lifestyle, and genetic factors on intrinsic capacity, The Journals of Gerontology: Series A, Volume 81, Issue 4, April 2026, glag057, https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/glag057