Proposition of an aging indicator from general health examination in France.

Abstract

We present an indicator of aging based on eight quantitative variables, measured during the periodical health examination offered by French social security to the general population in France. The used sample derived from the population examined each year. We selected a reference group of 24,510 adults older than 25 years (non-smokers, drinking less than 44 g alcohol per day, with body mass index less than 35, and not using medication). A multiple regression analysis by gender was used to select significant variables to predict age from all quantitative variables measured during the health examination. The resulting biological age could be calculated from the measured variables and the aging indicator was defined as the difference between the calculated age and the chronological age. By definition, this indicator is independent of age in the reference population and gives an indication of the difference between an individual's status in the process of aging and the mean status of people of the same chronological age. Associations between this indicator and life style habits such as tobacco and alcohol use, and occupational status were observed. A geographical analysis also exhibited significant variation over France. Such an indicator can be used at the individual level as a pedagogical tool to explain the observed individual health status. It is also of interest for the epidemiological studies, where it could contribute to a better understanding of the aging process and associated factors.