twanvl comments on Open thread, September 16-22, 2013 - Less Wrong

5 Post author: Metus 16 September 2013 05:18AM

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Comment author: RomeoStevens 16 September 2013 05:55:08AM 11 points [-]

I recently made a big update in my model of how much influence one can have on one's longevity. I had thought that genetics accounted for the vast majority of variance, but it turns out the real number is something like 20-30%. This necessitates more effort thinking about optimizing lifestyle factors. Does anyone know of a good attempt at a quantified analysis of how lifestyle factors affect lifespan? Most of the resources I find make vague qualitative claims, as such, it's hard to compare between different classes of risks.

Comment author: twanvl 16 September 2013 04:07:41PM 2 points [-]

but it turns out the real number is something like 20-30%.

Citation needed

Comment author: gwern 16 September 2013 04:28:52PM 23 points [-]

Punch genetics heritability longevity into Google Scholar; first hit says:

The heritability of longevity was estimated to be 0.26 for males and 0.23 for females.

Comment author: jsteinhardt 18 September 2013 05:39:38AM 0 points [-]

Does this imply that the other 75% is due to life choices? This doesn't obvious to me.

Comment author: wedrifid 18 September 2013 05:46:05AM 5 points [-]

Does this imply that the other 75% is due to life choices? This doesn't obvious to me.

No, that is not what heritability means. The other 75% is the myriad of other influences of environment, chaotic chance and life choices.

Comment author: RomeoStevens 16 September 2013 08:25:41PM 1 point [-]