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Measuring Active and Healthy Ageing: Applying a GENERIC Interdisciplinary Assessment Model Incorporating ICF
P Stute1, N Bitterlich, J Bousquet
1Professor Dr. med. Petra Stute, M.D. Department of Gynecologic Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, University Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Inselspital Bern, Effingerstrasse 102, 3010 Bern, Switzerland, Telephone: (0)31-632-1303, Fax: (0)31-632-1332,
The Journal of Nutrition, Health & Aging
|October 31, 2017
Summary
This study compared bio-functional age (BFA) in two German cohorts 30 years apart, finding an accelerated aging process in the older cohort between ages 45-54. The developed BFA assessment tool is valuable for individual and population-level active and healthy aging strategies.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology and Aging Research
- Biopsychosocial Health Assessment
- Public Health and Epidemiology
Background:
- Chronological age does not always reflect an individual's true aging process.
- Bio-functional age (BFA) offers a more comprehensive measure of aging by integrating biopsychosocial factors.
- Comparing aging trajectories across different cohorts can reveal societal and healthcare influences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare chronological and bio-functional age between two German-speaking cohorts separated by 30 years.
- To evaluate the utility of a comprehensive Active and Healthy Aging (AHA) assessment model incorporating the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF).
- To analyze aging rates and identify factors influencing them across different adult life stages.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional, observational study was conducted at a university women's hospital.
- Participants underwent a standardized battery of biopsychosocial assessments, including bio-functional status (BFS) and bio-functional age (BFA) measures.
- Validated psychometric questionnaires were used to supplement the assessments.
Main Results:
- The BeCS-14 cohort showed a mean BFA lower than chronological age (regression coefficient 0.58).
- The aging rate (BFA increase per year) was similar between cohorts in the 35-45 and 55-65 age groups.
- A significantly accelerated aging rate was observed in the LeCS-84 cohort between ages 45-54 (13.02 year equivalents) compared to the BeCS-14 cohort (4.83 year equivalents).
- In BeCS-14, younger age correlated with better cardiovascular performance, and social stress decreased with age.
Conclusions:
- The aging process appeared accelerated in the older LeCS-84 cohort between ages 45-54, potentially due to differences in healthcare, political, or social systems.
- The developed BFS/BFA assessment tool is suitable for both individual and population-level analysis of active and healthy aging (AHA).
- Further development is needed to integrate the assessed health strengths and resources profile into AHA management strategies.
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