Men's Health Magazine. 7 Ways to Not Look Fat in a Swimsuit. Atkins-EMEA - United Kingdom. At Home. Healthy food & activity tips for you & your kids | Change4Life | Change4Life. CBBC Newsround | Specials | Healthy Living. Health: Healthy living essentials. 19 April 2013Last updated at 18:07 It is possible to live a longer and healthier life Some aspects of our health and vitality are governed by our genes and how our mother behaves during pregnancy, but many lifestyle factors, including fitness, diet and weight all impact on our ability to live a long and healthy life. Even before we are born, our health can be affected by the lifestyle choices our mother makes. Studies have shown that if an expectant mother is highly stressed this may impact on their baby, leaving them less able to handle stress later in life.
Heavy drinking during pregnancy can lead to foetal alcohol syndrome in babies - which can cause a life-long learning disability as well as physical problems. Having a happy childhood may boost longevity, as a study suggests those who are unhappy in their youth have a greater risk of heart disease as adults. Getting outdoors is also key, as sunlight is an important source of vitamin D. Is life expectancy in our DNA?