7 surprising things that age you

First, the not-so-surprising: Eating junk, being a couch potato, smoking and stress can all shorten your life span and make you look older, too. There's also a hefty amount of luck involved when it comes to aging. "You have to pick the right parents," as Marie Bernard, deputy director of the National Institute on Aging, puts it. "It isn't the majority necessarily, but some of one's fate is based upon the longevity of prior generations." Now, for the lesser known factors that influence how fast – and how well – you age.

Check out the slideshow below to learn the 7 surprising things that are aging you.

Copyright 2015 U.S. News & World Report

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