Body surface area as a parameter of age decline

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Human Physiology
• Anthropometry

Background:

• Secular growth trends, often linked to improved living conditions, have been observed globally.
• The impact of aging on body surface area and height, particularly in relation to long-term growth patterns, requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the age-related loss of body surface area (DuBois) in adults.
• To analyze the association between age and body surface area loss, considering secular growth trends.
• To examine the changes in body height with aging.

Main Methods:

• A combined cross-sectional and longitudinal study of 209 men and women aged 40-96.
• Analysis of secular growth trends using army enlistment data from 1850-1970 (424 men).
• Calculation of body surface area using the DuBois formula and assessment of height changes.

Main Results:

• A secular growth trend of 1.01 ± 0.30 mm/year was identified in the region since 1880.
• Body surface area loss was significantly associated with age in both sexes, reaching up to 2.5% per year in the oldest participants.
• Aging leads to a dramatic loss of body height, altering body proportions.

Conclusions:

• Age-related decline in body surface area and height is a significant physiological process.
• The observed secular growth trend predates improvements in living conditions, suggesting other contributing factors.
• Understanding these age-related changes is crucial for geriatric health and physiological studies.