Allostatic load differs by sex and diet, but not age in older Japanese from the Goto Islands

Abstract

Background: Lifelong exposure to stressors promotes physiological dysregulation and produces an allostatic load (AL). In European-derived samples, AL associates significantly with sex, age and health.

Aim: To assess associations of AL with age, sex, socio-demographic differences and self-reports of diet and ability to complete activities of daily living in older Japanese residing in rural Nagasaki Prefecture.

Subjects and methods: In 2011, 96 older residents of Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan, were assessed for components of AL. They also self-reported their age, principal life-long occupational activity, educational attainments, marital status, dietary choices and abilities to complete daily living activities.

Results: Average age was 67.9 years (range = 55–89; SD = 8.65). Among these 48 men and 48 women, AL was not related significantly to age, although women showed lower AL than men. AL did not differ significantly between respondents by occupation, marital status, education or abilities to complete daily activities. Women who reported eating more green/yellow vegetables or consuming more meat had lower AL than their counterparts. Men who reported drinking more alcohol spirits had higher AL.

Conclusions: Among older Japanese residing outside a major urban area, AL varies significantly by sex, but not age, while being associated with dietary choices. Although lack of association with life ways was not expected, AL apparently assesses physiological dysregulation cross-culturally.

• Activities of daily living
• ageing
• Asian
• disability
• male–female mortality paradox
• senescence

Acknowledgements

We thank all the residents of Hizen-Sakiyama City, who participated in our research protocols and welcomed us to their city. We thank Chelsea Akers and Hannah Tyrrell for typing assistance.

Declaration of interest

Funding support was obtained from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, ‘Application of Allostatic Load for Estimation of Senescence with Japanese Elderly’ to YS and the Wenner-Gren Foundation for Anthropological Research for the study, ‘Allostatic Load, Frailty, and Health among Japanese Elders’ (Grant Number 7867) to DEC.