Phys of aging: Longitudinal Studies

Longitudinal Studies of Aging

Continuous or repeated measures to follow particular individuals over prolonged periods of time

Finding of Framingham study

coined the term risk factor

• Found risk factors for heart disease and stroke

  • Smoking

  • Inactivity

  • Obesity

  • Menopause

• Able to get predictors of cardio vascular disease

Education Framingham Heart Study

More education was associated with a slower pace of biological aging and lower risk of death

• Does NOT mean you need an undergrad

Major Outcomes from Canadian longitudinal study of aging

1) new age- normative values for functional fitness assessments in Canadians ages 45-85 yrs

2) Ratios of specific metabolites linked to age related diseases

accelerated aging + 2 points of major disruption

• cross-sectionally + longitudinally

• Ages 44, 60

  • Feel like they have aged more than any other years leading up to it

• 2 points of major disruption:

  • Immune system

  • Metabolism

Benefits (3) + limitations (3) of Longitudinal Studies

Benefits:

• Changes over time not just snap shots

• Large cohorts (including offsprings)

• Less potential for bias in population

Limitations:

• Associative- not manipulating something + seeing the changes

• Little/ no control- don’t know what people are doing in daily life

• Potential bias- less potential but still potential

  • Ex. framingham heart study

    • White people