Why do some of us age faster than others? With Terrie Moffitt, PhD
Jan 15, 2025
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Terrie Moffitt, PhD, a renowned psychology professor at Duke University and leader of the Dunedin study, dives deep into the remarkable findings on aging from this long-term research tracking over 1,000 New Zealanders since 1972. She discusses how genetics and life experiences shape not just physical but mental health as well. Moffitt highlights the innovative Dunedin-PACE test for measuring biological aging, the significance of early life circumstances, and potential lifestyle interventions that could align biological and chronological ages.
The Dunedin study highlights the distinction between biological aging and chronological aging, revealing how various biomarkers indicate age-related health differences.
Lifestyle choices and early life experiences, such as smoking and childhood adversity, significantly impact the rate of biological aging and long-term health outcomes.
Deep dives
Understanding Biological Aging Through Longitudinal Studies
The Dunedin study has provided profound insights into the process of biological aging by tracking over a thousand individuals from birth to middle age. Researchers measure biological aging, which may differ significantly from chronological aging, by analyzing various biomarkers related to organ function over time. Notably, this longitudinal approach allows the study to identify individuals aging faster or slower than their peers, offering a nuanced understanding of aging processes. This method's uniqueness lies in its comprehensive data collection, enabling comparisons that can inform personal and public health strategies.
Factors Influencing the Pace of Aging
Various lifestyle choices and early life experiences are highlighted as significant contributors to the pace of biological aging as revealed by the Dunedin study. Factors such as smoking, childhood adversity, and even experiences of racial discrimination have been shown to correlate with accelerated aging. The research emphasizes that these influences can have prolonged effects, potentially shaping individuals' health as they age. Ongoing studies continue to examine how social, environmental, and behavioral factors interplay to affect aging trajectories for diverse populations.
Applying Aging Research for Future Interventions
The findings from the Dunedin study aim to inform health interventions, focusing on behaviors that can slow biological aging. Lifestyle modifications, such as regular exercise and weight management, are being explored as pragmatic solutions to improve health outcomes. The study's researchers are also extending their findings to various demographic groups to ensure the relevance of their aging measures across different populations. By linking biological aging with broader health behaviors, the study aspires to promote personalized approaches to health and wellness in aging populations.
The Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study has been tracking the health and life experiences of more than 1,000 New Zealanders since 1972. Terrie Moffitt, PhD, a professor of psychology at Duke University and one of the leaders of the Dunedin study, discusses what researchers have learned from this remarkable study about how people age, why some of us age faster than others, and how our genes and life experiences shape our physical and mental health and the aging process.