Biological ageing: What happens before you reach your 22nd birthday

Researchers at the University of Jyväskylä in Finland have discovered that biological ageing might commence accelerating as early as early adulthood. The study, published in Environment International, suggests that lifestyle, environmental exposures, and living conditions during childhood and adolescence could account for about 28% of the variation in biological age at the age of 22.

The researchers examined the exposome, which is the totality of lifestyle and environmental exposures a person experiences. Using data from a longitudinal twin study, they employed machine-learning models to evaluate 186 lifestyle and environmental exposures. These factors included air pollution, the amount of greenery surrounding the participants, and sociodemographic elements in the participants' residential areas.

The measured exposures during childhood and adolescence accounted for around 28% of the variation in epigenetic age at 22. It's important to note that biological age may not always align with chronological age. The pace of ageing can vary between individuals, with faster biological ageing potentially linked to an increased risk of developing age-related diseases earlier in life.

The findings indicate that factors influencing biological ageing extend beyond genetics and individual lifestyle choices. Environmental conditions and residential locations may also play a significant role, emphasizing the importance of exposures during childhood and adolescence.