This article kicks off a series of accessible insights curated by Prof. Daniele Del Rio, President of the OnFoods Foundation, exploring key research findings and their impact on health, nutrition, and sustainability.

How Your Environment Affects How You Age
When it comes to ageing, many of us believe our genes are the deciding factor. After all, if our parents and grandparents lived long, healthy lives, surely we will as well, right? However, groundbreaking new research suggests that the environment we live in may have a much greater impact on how long and how well we live than the genes we inherit. 

A recent study published in Nature Medicine, “Integrating the environmental and genetic architectures of ageing and mortality”, explored how both environmental factors (also known as the exposome) and genetics influence ageing and mortality. Researchers analysed data from nearly 500,000 people in the UK and made a striking discovery: while genes do play a role in some diseases, environmental factors exert a far greater influence on overall ageing and premature mortality.

The Exposome: Your Environment Shapes Your Lifespan
The exposome encompasses everything in your environment that influences your health—your diet, lifestyle, residence, air quality, social interactions, and even childhood experiences. The study revealed that these environmental factors account for 17% of the variation in mortality, in contrast to merely 2% for genetic risk factors.

In other words, how long and healthily you live is far more within your control than you might have realised. Here are some of the key environmental factors that researchers identified as strongly linked to ageing and mortality:

• Smoking – No surprise here! Smoking remains one of the biggest risk factors for premature death. Even former smokers faced higher risks compared to those who have never smoked.  
• Socioeconomic Status – Individuals with higher incomes and stable housing had significantly lower risks of dying early. Economic hardship was linked to poorer health outcomes.  
• Physical Activity – Staying active, whether through exercise or daily movement, is one of the strongest protective factors against ageing and disease.  
• Living With a Partner – Social connection matters! Those who lived with a partner had a lower risk of early death compared to those living alone.  
• Sleep Quality – Both excessive and insufficient sleep were associated with higher mortality. A balanced 7-9 hours per night is ideal for longevity.  
• Childhood Health and Environment – Factors such as being overweight as a child or exposure to maternal smoking before birth had long-term effects on ageing and disease risk.

What About Genetics?
The study found that genetic predisposition has a stronger influence in certain diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, breast and prostate cancer, and macular degeneration. However, for conditions like heart disease, lung disease, and metabolic disorders, environmental factors had a significantly greater impact than genetics.

The Takeaway: You Have More Control Than You Think
If you’ve ever felt that your genes have condemned you to poor health, this research provides a refreshing perspective. While we cannot change our DNA, we can make lifestyle changes that significantly influence our ageing process and overall health. By focusing on a healthier lifestyle—quitting smoking, staying active, maintaining strong social connections, and enhancing our sleep—we can take meaningful steps towards a longer, healthier life. 

The message is clear: ageing is not solely dependent on luck or genetics. The choices we make daily have a profound effect on how we age and how long we live. So, why not begin making changes today?

Within this framework, the OnFoods project actively engages in promoting healthy ageing and sustainable lifestyles through various initiatives. One significant area of focus is addressing malnutrition among older adults. Recognising that proper nutrition is crucial for maintaining health and reducing the risk of chronic diseases as one ages, OnFoods emphasises the importance of a varied and balanced diet rich in energy and protein. 

The project also highlights the necessity of adequate fluid intake, especially during the summer months when dehydration risks increase. Additionally, OnFoods aligns with WHO recommendations by advocating both aerobic and anaerobic physical activities to maintain muscle tone in the elderly.

OnFoods is working to identify sustainable, tailored nutritional strategies aimed at reducing malnutrition in specific target populations. This involves analysing the interactions between lifestyle, socioeconomic status, clinical conditions, psychological distress, medical treatments, and diet to implement sustainable dietary patterns. The project also focuses on validating malnutrition biomarkers and drafting sustainable nutritional protocols.

Furthermore, OnFoods explores the connections between diet, the environment, and human health through projects like the LAFA initiative. This project compares two contrasting Italian regions—the industrialised "Land of Fires" and the UNESCO-recognised Geopark, Cilento—to uncover critical insights into how environmental quality impacts aspects of human life, such as fertility and ageing. 

Through these comprehensive efforts, OnFoods aims to enhance the quality of life for the ageing population by developing sustainable dietary practices and promoting overall well-being.

Read also:
Diet, longevity, and technology: the LAFA project for sustainable health

Malnutrition in the elderly: a growing health crisis needing a multidisciplinary approach