What's your REAL BODY AGE?

Our test will help you to stay healthy for longer, whatever the date on your birth certificate

Never felt a day over 21? Or do you often wake up so stiff you feel you must be a decade older than you actually are? How quickly your body is ageing may be in better – or worse – condition than you realise. And here’s an easy way to find out. Starting with your actual age, answer the following questions, subtracting or adding years depending on your answers. You may be surprised by the outcome!

THE QUIZ

1 HOW’S YOUR WEIGHT?

A I’m overweight and need to lose a stone or more. +2 years

B I’m a little overweight – I’d like to lose half a stone. +1 year

C I’m slim and in the right weight range for my height. -2 years

D I’m underweight. +1 year

WHY IT MATTERS

Excess weight raises the risk of age-related diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and arthritis. A healthy weight is key, but it can be harder to stay slim after 40. ‘You lose muscle mass with age so your metabolic rate can slow,’ says nutritionist Rob Hobson. ‘You need fewer calories than in your 20s and 30s.’

2 HOW ACTIVE ARE YOU?

A I do at least 150 minutes of aerobic exercise each week, as well as strength training. -2 years

B I walk as much as possible and do some yoga. +0 years

C I don’t exercise. +2 years

WHY IT MATTERS