Open AccessConceptual and Analytical Overlap Between Allostatic Load and Systemic Biological Aging Measures: Analyses From the National Survey of Midlife Development in the United States
Author(s) -
Waylon J. Hastings,
David M. Almeida,
Idan Shalev
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
the journals of gerontology. series a, biological sciences and medical sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1758-535X
pISSN - 1079-5006
DOI - 10.1093/gerona/glab187
Subject(s) - allostatic load , allostasis , psychology , gerontology , similarity (geometry) , selection (genetic algorithm) , demography , econometrics , medicine , computer science , mathematics , sociology , neuroscience , artificial intelligence , image (mathematics)
Indices quantifying allostatic load (AL) and biological aging (BA) have independently received widespread use in epidemiological literature. However, little attention has been paid to their conceptual and quantitative overlap. By reviewing literature utilizing measures of AL and BA, and conducting comparative analysis, we highlight similarities and differences in biological markers employed and approach toward scale construction. Further, we outline opportunities where both types of indices might be improved by adopting methodological features of the other.