Social Gradient in Allostatic Load Among Danish Men and Women in Late Midlife. (February 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hansen, Åse Marie; Lund, Rikke; Bruunsgaard, Helle; Rod, Naja Hulvej; Garde, Anne Helene; Molbo, Drude; Avlund, Kirsten
• Other Names: Mendes de Leon Carlos F. guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: Journal of aging and health. Volume 26:Number 1(2014:Feb.)
• Page Start: 72
• Page End: 87
• Publication Date: 2014-02
• Subjects: biomarkers -- health behaviors -- social factors; Older people -- Health and hygiene -- Periodicals; Geriatrics -- Periodicals; 618.97
• DOI: 10.1177/0898264313508187
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0898-2643

Abstract

Objective: The objective of the present study is to describe the prevalence of allostatic load (AL) among Danish men and women in late midlife, and if there is a social gradient in AL.Method: A total of 5, 420 participants from the Copenhagen Aging and Midlife Biobank (CAMB) aged 48 to 63 years (68.5% men, 31.5% women) underwent a health examination including standardized measures of height, weight, body fat, and blood pressure in 2009-2011. AL (range 0-14) was established by summing the scores of the poorest quartile for each of 14 biological variables related to the metabolic and immune systems.Results: We found a social gradient in AL in late midlife among men and women living in Denmark.Discussion: AL may be a potential biomarker for early aging in countries with a strong social welfare system. It is important for intervention studies to be aware of this type of biological vulnerability already present in late midlife.