Jeffrey T Howard1,2, P Johnelle Sparks3. 1. US Army Institute of Surgical Research, San Antonio, Texas. 2. Epidemiology and Biostatistics Department, US Army Institute of Surgical Research, JBSA San Antonio, Texas. 3. Department of Demography, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas. johnelle.sparks@utsa.edu.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Using nationally representative data for adults of age 25 years and older from four waves of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), collected from 2003 through 2010, this study examines differences in individual health markers used to calculate allostatic load, with particular attention given to stratification by race/ethnicity and educational level. METHODS: Factor analysis with maximum likelihood estimation was used. Fisher's r to z transformation test was used to determine whether or not observed differences in factor loadings were statistically significant. RESULTS: The findings reveal the unidimensionality of the concept of allostatic load and the underlying differences in associations between individual biomarkers and summary measures of allostatic load. Additionally, metabolic processes tend to be the most important predictor of allostatic load for all adults; however, inflammatory measures are more important in determining allostatic load scores for non-Hispanic blacks compared to non-Hispanic whites and for adults with less than a college education compared to adults with some college or a college degree. CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlight the continued importance of studying the concept of "weathering" or allostatic load at the population level and need to better understand how population groups facing exclusion from economic, social, and political power may internalize this position which may cause early health deterioration and ultimate mortality chance through different expression of health insults and premature aging. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 28:627-635, 2016.
OBJECTIVES: Using nationally representative data for adults of age 25 years and older from four waves of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), collected from 2003 through 2010, this study examines differences in individual health markers used to calculate allostatic load, with particular attention given to stratification by race/ethnicity and educational level. METHODS: Factor analysis with maximum likelihood estimation was used. Fisher's r to z transformation test was used to determine whether or not observed differences in factor loadings were statistically significant. RESULTS: The findings reveal the unidimensionality of the concept of allostatic load and the underlying differences in associations between individual biomarkers and summary measures of allostatic load. Additionally, metabolic processes tend to be the most important predictor of allostatic load for all adults; however, inflammatory measures are more important in determining allostatic load scores for non-Hispanic blacks compared to non-Hispanic whites and for adults with less than a college education compared to adults with some college or a college degree. CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlight the continued importance of studying the concept of "weathering" or allostatic load at the population level and need to better understand how population groups facing exclusion from economic, social, and political power may internalize this position which may cause early health deterioration and ultimate mortality chance through different expression of health insults and premature aging. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 28:627-635, 2016.
Authors: Vickie M Mays; Robert-Paul Juster; Timothy J Williamson; Teresa E Seeman; Susan D Cochran Journal: Psychosom Med Date: 2018 Jul/Aug Impact factor: 4.312
Authors: Katrina L Kezios; Shakira F Suglia; David Matthew Doyle; Ezra Susser; Gary Bradwin; Piera Cirillo; Barbara Cohn; Bruce Link; Pam Factor-Litvak Journal: Psychoneuroendocrinology Date: 2022-02-12 Impact factor: 4.905