Healthy age

Four simple habits have been linked with living healthier for longer. See which are already part of your life.

Your details

Habits from the EPIC-Norfolk study

2 of 4

already part of your week. A picture, not a verdict

Not smokingalready part of your life
Being active (150 minutes a week)already part of your life
Keeping alcohol within 14 units a weekSeveral drink free days a week is an easy place to start
5 portions of fruit and veg a dayAdd one portion to a meal you already eat
Checks at 52NHS Health Check every 5 years, bowel screening every 2 years

In a study of about 20,000 people in Norfolk, those who did all four of these habits had, on average, the death rate of people 14 years younger than those who did none. That is an average across thousands of people, not a prediction for you, and it is never too late: each habit counted on its own. If you want one place to start, try: several drink free days a week is an easy place to start.

Your GP or an NHS Health Check (40 to 74) can check blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes risk, which habits alone cannot show. Free NHS help to stop smoking or cut down drinking is available in confidence.

The working

Age 52, not smoking and active

That is 2 of the 4 EPIC-Norfolk habits. Easy next steps: a few drink free days a week, and one more portion of fruit or veg at a meal you already eat. At 52, an NHS Health Check every 5 years and bowel screening every 2 years apply.

The study

EPIC-Norfolk, 2008

About 20,000 men and women aged 45 to 79 in Norfolk were followed for around 11 years. People with all four habits had, on average, the same risk of dying as people 14 years older who had none. Each habit counted on its own, so it is never all or nothing. (The study counted moderate drinking; the UK guideline is to keep to 14 units or less, and not drinking is fine.)

Why we do not give an age

What averages can show

Online "real age" tools turn averages into a personal number that sounds precise but is not. Habits are what you can change, so this page shows those instead.

Read with care

What this cannot tell you

Predict your life expectancyStudy averages do not tell you about one person.
See inside your bodyBlood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar need checking.
Judge youHabits are hard to change, and circumstances matter.

Questions

Common questions

What is a healthy age calculator?

Usually a tool that turns habits into an age. This one shows the habits behind those numbers instead, with the evidence, rather than a made up age.

Which habits matter most?

In EPIC-Norfolk, not smoking had the biggest single effect, but being active, moderate drinking and eating fruit and veg each mattered too.

Is it too late to change at 60?

No. People in the study were 45 to 79, and the habits made a difference across that range.

How can I check my real health?

An NHS Health Check (40 to 74) looks at blood pressure, cholesterol and your risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and kidney disease.

Sources

Last checked 21 October 2026. Spotted something wrong? Tell us and we will fix it.

Checks worth having

If you are 40 to 74, an NHS Health Check every 5 years looks at blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes risk. Free NHS help is there to stop smoking or cut down drinking, in confidence.