Age differences in allostatic load: an index of physiological dysregulation
Abstract
This preliminary report examines variation in allostatic load by age for a large nationally representative population of the United States. It uses data on 13 indicators of physiologic dysregulation from a nationally representative sample of the US population 20 years of age and over. Allostatic load is remarkably constant in the older ages after increasing sharply in the years from 20 to 60. We hypothesize that this represents mortality selectivity of the population by physiological status.
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Empirical research provides evidence of the cumulative nature of allostatic load across the life-course.
“Empirical research has also provided evidence of the cumulative nature of AL across the life-course 183”
From Socio‐economic differentials in peripheral biology: Cumulative allostatic load (2010) · cites this paper as [183]
Empirical research supports the hypothesis that added stresses and resource constraints associated with lower SES are associated with faster accumulation of allostatic load, i.e., greater age-specific burdens of allostatic load.
“as well as evidence supporting the hypothesis that the added stresses and resource constraints associated with lower SES are associated with faster accumulation of AL (i.e., greater age-specific burdens of AL).”
From Socio‐economic differentials in peripheral biology: Cumulative allostatic load (2010) · cites this paper as [183]
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- Authors
- Crimmins, E. M., Johnston, M., Hayward, M., & Seeman, T.
- Affiliations
- University of Southern California (US)
- Pennsylvania State University (US)
- University of California, Los Angeles (US)
- Corresponding author
- Crimmins, Eileen M.
- Venue
- Experimental Gerontology
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2003-07
- Volume
- 38
- Issue
- 7
- Pages
- 731-734
- ISSN
- 0531-5565 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2114290620
- Cited by
- 303
- References
- 15
- Citations by year
- 2026: 9 · 2025: 17 · 2024: 16 · 2023: 16 · 2022: 18 · 2021: 25 · 2020: 14 · 2019: 18 · 2018: 20 · 2017: 10 · 2016: 16 · 2015: 21 · 2014: 14 · 2013: 16 · 2012: 11
- FWCI
- 6.06
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Experimental Gerontology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institutes of Health (5r01ag017055-03)
- National Institute on Aging (P30 AG17265, R01-AG17055, P30AG017265)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Health › Health disparities and outcomes
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Behavioral Neuroscience › Stress Responses and Cortisol
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology › Aging and Gerontology Research
- Keywords
- allostatic load, age differences, physiological dysregulation, aging, older adults
- MeSH terms
- Adaptation, Physiological, Adult, Aging, C-Reactive Protein, Creatinine, Cross-Sectional Studies, Fibrinogen, Health Status Indicators, Health Surveys, Homocysteine, Humans, Hypertension, Middle Aged, Peak Expiratory Flow Rate, Risk Factors, Serum Albumin, Stress, Physiological, United States, Biomarkers, Selection Bias, Body Mass Index
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