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Is Older Colder or Colder Older? The Association of Age With Body Temperature in 18,630 Individuals
- Source :
- The Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences. :487-492
- Publication Year :
- 2011
- Publisher :
- Oxford University Press (OUP), 2011.
-
Abstract
- In animal studies, caloric restriction resulting in increased longevity is associated with a reduction in body temperature, which is strain specific and likely under genetic control. Small studies in humans have suggested that temperatures may be lower among elderly populations, usually attributed to loss of thermoregulation. We analyzed cross-sectional data from 18,630 white adults aged 20–98 years (mean 58.3 years) who underwent oral temperature measurement as part of a standardized health appraisal at a large U.S. health maintenance organization. Overall, women had higher mean temperatures (97.5 ± 1.2°F) than men (97.2 ± 1.1°F; p < .0001). Mean temperature decreased with age, with a difference of 0.3°F between oldest and youngest groups after controlling for sex, body mass index, and white blood cell count. The results are consistent with low body temperature as a biomarker for longevity. Prospective studies are needed to confirm whether this represents a survival advantage associated with lifetime low steady state temperature.
- Subjects :
- Adult
Male
Gerontology
Aging
Cross-sectional study
media_common.quotation_subject
Longevity
Body Mass Index
Body Temperature
Leukocyte Count
White blood cell
Journal of Gerontology: BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
medicine
Humans
Prospective cohort study
Aged
media_common
Aged, 80 and over
business.industry
Caloric theory
Middle Aged
Thermoregulation
Cross-Sectional Studies
medicine.anatomical_structure
Female
Animal studies
Geriatrics and Gerontology
business
Body mass index
Biomarkers
Demography
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 1758535X and 10795006
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- The Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....adc141860a90928111b96f72bcbdbfcd