Kathleen Stassen Berger

1

Part VII

Adulthood: Biosocial Development

Chapter Twenty

The Aging Process

The Impact of Poor Health Habits

Measuring Health

Variations in Aging

2

The Aging Process• Senescence

– a gradual physical decline related to aging… happens to everyone in every body part but the rate of decline is highly variable

3

The Aging Process• Sense Organs

– senescence varies from organ to organ• the five senses become less sharp…each organ loses some functions faster

than others– changes in eyesight is the most obvious– losses occur in hearing

» the loss of hearing associated with senescence often does not become apparent until after age 60

4

The Impact of Poor Health Habits• Overeating

– too much eating combined with too little activity

5

The Impact of Poor Health Habits• Obesity

– the leading cause of premature adult death– a worldwide epidemic, followed by diabetes– U.S. the global leader in obesity and diabetes

6

The Impact of Poor Health Habits• Obesity

– weight-loss drugs urge caution• Phen-fen was found to increase the risk of heart disease• commercial diet drugs are additive and ineffective over time• other drugs upset the stomach

– surgery• gastric bypass surgery which permanently alters the anatomy of the

digestive system• death can occur

7

Variations in Agingrates of aging vary, but they are not random…

– gender– genes– ethnicity– income– education– location– lifestyle– culture

…speed up some aspects of senescence and slow down others

8

Variations in Aging• Gender Differences

– In western society, senescence affects women more than men• small, superficial signs of aging, changes in skin, hair, weight, are noticed

more in women. This is due to the influence of culture.• women age slowly, females live longer worldwide

– twice as many in the U.S. by age 85

9

Variations in Aging• Socioeconomic Status (SES)

– well-educated, financially secure people live longer, avoid chronic illness and disability, and feel healthier than the average person of their age, sex and ethnicity