With so much of our attention aimed at living a long and healthy life, it begs the question: Does our lifestyle or the genes we've inherited play a bigger role in whether or not we live longer?

When the news features a 101-year-old woman who swears the secret to her longevity is laughter, cigarettes, and fried chicken, the immediate thought that comes to mind is probably, "Wow, good genes." However, a 2016 study published in Immunity and Aging found that just 25% of the variation in human longevity can be credited to genetic factors.

The findings suggest the opposite is also true, and that people without genes that point to a longer life could attain one through physical activity and a healthy lifestyle.