Tape Measure Beats Expensive Epigenetic Age Tests, Study Finds

Costly consumer biological-age tests, sold for hundreds of euros, do not predict disease risk any better than a tape measure and a bathroom scale, a Tampere University study found. "Epigenetic clocks are useful for research but offer consumers nothing new," Saara Marttila, the study's lead researcher, told YLE.

The researchers examined epigenetic clocks, measures of biological aging based on DNA changes, and compared their predictive power with traditional measures such as waist and hip circumference, body mass index, diet, exercise, smoking and alcohol use.

Combining these conventional measurements already separates those likely to fall ill from those who are not, the researchers say. Even BMI remains a useful predictor at the population level despite criticism.

Marttila criticises the marketing around biological-age tests, saying results are not straightforward and the products mainly appeal to relatively healthy, middle-aged people who may already see conventional metrics as 'green.' She compares the trend to smartwatches and rings, noting wellness devices tend to attract people who are already healthier, and recommends relying on official health guidance while leaving complex biological-age analysis to researchers.