The Shanghai Women’s Health Study followed approximately 71,000 Chinese women aged 40-70 for 9 years. Among participants, common lifestyle risk factors of early death included physical inactivity, abdominal obesity, being overweight or obese, exposure to spousal tobacco smoke, and eating few fruits and vegetables. When participants reversed these risk factors, they exhibited a striking life-extending effect, especially in participants with a severe history of chronic disease. Overall, results showed that participants with healthy lifestyle habits reduced their risk of cardiovascular disease by 59%, all causes of mortality by 33%, and cancer by 19%.
PositiveTip: Healthy lifestyle habits improve life and reduce mortality for all causes even if you already have a chronic disease!