EVER think you’d live your life differently if you knew how long you had left?
Or perhaps you’d shake off some of your unhealthy habits if you knew they were shortening your life.
GettyThe calculator can help Brits predict their life expectancy[/caption]
The man in his 50s was told he’d only make it to 71 unless he made some radical changes (Credit: Blueprint Income)
The woman in her 40s was told she would live until she was 89 (Credit: Blueprint Income)
Now, an online calculator can help Brits estimate their life expectancy – and give tips on how to live longer.
The average lifespan of a Brit born in 2022 is predicted to be 83, government modelling suggests.
This is heavily influenced by factors such as diet and weight combined with education, smoking status and fitness habits, which the calculator uses to predict how long someone has left.
Take a man in his 50s who smokes a pack of cigarettes each day, doesn’t exercise and makes frequent visits the pub.
According to the test by Blueprint Income, this man will only make it to 71 unless he makes some drastic lifestyle changes.
It suggests (see pictures below) exercising a few times a week to add up to two years to his life.
According to new research, lifting weights or doing press-ups once a week is the most effective way older people can make sure they live longer.
Taking up strength training in old age provides health benefits above and beyond simply doing cardiovascular exercise such as walking or swimming, a study found.
It also explains that by quitting smoking, the man could add almost four additional years to his life expectancy.
Thousands of studies have already connected smoking to a whole host of life-threatening diseases including cancer and heart disease.
Now, take a slightly overweight married woman in her late-40s, who doesn’t exercise often or smoke but enjoys a glass of wine with dinner.
According to the test, she is likely to live until she’s 89.
The woman believes she is in ‘good’ health, which the test creators say can help her live for longer.
They explain that your attitude to your health can influence your life expectancy, and those who consider themselves to be in ‘good’ health live on average for three years longer than those who don’t.
Marriage can have a surprisingly positive impact on life expectancy too.
Men have a 15 per cent lower risk of all-cause mortality every year than non-married men, a study finds.
For women, the benefit isn’t quite so obvious, but they can significantly benefit from marriage in their lifespan too.
Researchers believe this is because married people take fewer health risks, and when sick, have someone to take care of them.
The test suggests she can extend her life by being more active and losing some weight.
But it doesn’t say her drinking habits need to change. In fact, it explains that those who drink between two and seven drinks each week actually live longer than those who drink none (see pictures below).
Some research has found drinking a moderate amount of booze can help your overall wellbeing, thanks to the improved social interaction associated with having a drink with friends at a local pub.
Other factors the calculator considers include whether a person has diabetes and their income.
A 2016 Harvard study found that the richest one per cent of people live around 15 years longer than the poorest one percent on average.
Thus disparity occurs because wealthier people have better access to higher quality food and medicines
This means they are less likely to develop chronic disease, and are often less stressed than their less affluent peers.
Diabetes experts have previously suggested that the life expectancy of someone with type 2 diabetes is reduced by up to 10 years, as a result of the disease.
You can prevent or delay type 2 diabetes with proven, achievable lifestyle changes, such as losing a small amount of weight and getting more physically active, Diabetes UK says.
The test suggests exercising a few times a week can add years to your life (Credit: Blueprint Income)
The test claims those who drink 2-7 drinks per week have the best life expectancy (Credit: Blueprint Income)