LIFE is precious and, even through its vicissitudes, we want as much of it as we can. In the course of a life, we make lifestyle choices, and these affect not just the quality of our life but its quantity.

Every week, we read warnings and advice about what lifestyle choices are best and, while these can be wearing, every so often a study is produced that admits of no ifs and buts. It gives us the facts and figures – the rest is up to us. Such a study has been produced by researchers at the University of Edinburgh, who examined genetic data from more than 600,000 people along with records of their parents’ lifespans.

Their conclusions about the likes of obesity and smoking might seem like more dire warnings but can also be translated into positive goals. Thus, overweight people shedding a stone add a year to their lives. Smokers giving up – and the sooner the better – can add seven years to theirs.

Education proves to be a positive lifestyle choice in more ways than one: every year of study affords another year of life. And, in policy terms, this research indicates that educating people in lifestyle choices remains vital.

Choice isn’t always easy. Poverty, upbringing, DNA might conspire to lead folk down a rocky – and short – road. No one chooses obesity but, if they are able to fight it, stone by stone their lives will be richer and longer for it.