MC1R and age heteroclassification of face phenotypes in the Rio Grande do Sul population.

BACKGROUND: Forensic DNA phenotyping (FDP) consists of the use of methodologies for predicting externally visible characteristics (EVCs) from the genetic material of biological samples found in crime scenes and has proven to be a promising tool in aiding human identification in police activities. Currently, methods based on multiplex assays and statistical models of prediction of EVCs related to hair, skin, and iris pigmentation using panels of SNP and INDEL biomarkers have already been developed and validated by the forensic scientific community. As well as traces of pigmentation, an individual's perceived age (PA) can also be considered an EVC and its estimation in unknown individuals can be useful for the progress of investigations. Liu and colleagues (2016) were pioneers in evidencing that, in addition to lifestyle and environmental factors, the presence of SNP and INDEL variants in the MC1R gene - which encodes a transmembrane receptor responsible for regulating melanin production - seems to contribute to an individual's PA. The group highlighted the association between these MC1R gene polymorphisms and the PA in the European population, where carriers of risk haplotypes appeared to be up to 2 years older in comparison to their chronological age (CA). PURPOSE: Understanding that genotype-phenotype relationships cannot be extrapolated between different population groups, this study aimed to test this hypothesis and verify the applicability of this variant panel in the Rio Grande do Sul admixed population. METHODS: Based on genomic data from a sample of 261 volunteers representative of gaucho population and using a multiple linear regression (MLR) model, our group was able to verify a significant association among nine intronic variants in loci adjacent to MC1R (e.g., AFG3L1P, TUBB3, FANCA) and facial age appearance, whose PA was defined after age heteroclassification of standard frontal face images through 11 assessors. RESULTS: Different from that observed in European populations, our results show that the presence of effect alleles (R) of the selected variants in our sample influenced both younger and older face phenotypes. The influence of each variant on PA is expressed as ß values. CONCLUSIONS: There are important molecular mechanisms behind the effects of MC1R locus on PA, and the genomic background of each population seems to be crucial to determine this influence.

[Age images of older patients with psychiatric diseases -The importance of attachment and mentalization]. / Altersbilder bei älteren Patienten mit psychischen Erkrankungen ­ Zur Bedeutung von Bindung und Mentalisierung.

Objectives: The emergence and effects of self-perception of ageing (SPA) are central gerontological research topics. SPA has an influence on numerous psychological, cognitive and physical parameters.The question of its significance for mental illness in old age, which was investigated in the present study, has so far remained in the background. Of particular interest was the connection to attachment and mentalization. Method: A clinical sample (N = 150) was compared with a non-clinical sample (N = 153). Both were divided into three age groups (40-54, 55-69 and over 70 years).The survey instruments used were the Attitude to Own Ageing subscale of the Philadelphia Geriatric Center Moral Scale (PGCMS) and a mentalizing and an attachment questionnaire (MZQ and ECR). Results:The clinical sample showed significantly lower scores in all age groups (more negative SWA), but only the non-clinical sample showed a decrease in age across the three age groups, thus the SPA became more negative. In the regression analytic evaluation, a more negative SPA was associated with an avoidant attachment orientation as well as reduced mentalizing skills. Conclusions: The results highlight the importance of SWA as a clinically and therapeutically significant variable. Finally, therapeutic implications are discussed.

Perceived Age in Patients Exposed to Distinct UV Indexes: A Systematic Review.

Photodamage is caused by chronic sun exposure and ultraviolet radiation and presents as wrinkles, sagging, and pigmented spots. An increase in the ultraviolet index can increase a person's perceived age by worsening skin photodamage. However, since the ultraviolet index varies considerably between geographical regions, perceived age might vary substantially among them. This review aims to describe the differences in chronological and perceived age in regions of the world with different ultraviolet indexes. A literature search of three databases was conducted for studies analyzing perceived age and its relationship to sun exposure. Ultraviolet indexes from the included studies were retrieved from the National Weather Service and the Tropospheric Emission Monitoring Internet Service. Out of 104 studies, seven fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Overall, 3,352 patients were evaluated for perceived age. All studies found that patients with the highest daily sun exposures had the highest perceived ages for their chronological age ( p < 0.05). People with high sun exposure behaviors living in regions with high ultraviolet indexes will look significantly older than same-aged peers living in lower ultraviolet index regions.

Prevalence and correlates of perceived age-related discrimination among older adults in India.

BACKGROUND: Age is one of the predominant reasons for perceived discrimination in developing world where older people are considered a non-contributing burden. The present study explores the prevalence and correlates of perceived age discrimination among older Indian adults. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a large representative survey data from the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India conducted during 2017-18. Participants included 31,464 older adults aged 60 years and above. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to test the associations between selected background characteristics and perceived age discrimination. RESULTS: The analysis revealed that 10.33 percent of older adults perceived their age as the main reason for discrimination, which was 11.86% among the oldest-old. Older adults with more than 10 years of schooling were 32% [adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 0.68; confidence interval (CI): 0.51-0.89] less likely to perceive age discrimination compared to their uneducated counterparts. The odds of perceived age discrimination were higher among older adults who earlier worked [AOR: 1.73; CI: 1.46-2.05] and currently working [AOR: 1.61; CI: 1.31-1.96] as compared to those who never worked. Further, having difficulty in instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) [AOR: 1.43; CI: 1.25 -1.65] and having one chronic condition [AOR: 1.16; CI: 1.02 -1.34] were associated with increased odds of perceived age discrimination among older adults. CONCLUSION: Older adults with lower socioeconomic status, currently working, having more chronic conditions, difficulty in IADL and belonging to rural areas were found to perceive higher age discrimination than their counterparts. The findings of the study have important implications for policy makers with respect to strategies such as making the vulnerable populations aware of their legal rights that help in the prevention of age-based discrimination in the country.

Self-esteem as a mediator in the relationship between perceived age stigma and emotional well-being among Korean older adults: the moderation effect of marital status.

OBJECTIVES: This study examined whether self-esteem mediates the association between perceived age stigma and emotional well-being (loneliness and emotional isolation) among Korean older adults and how these processes differ by marital status. METHODS: Using the 2018 Age Integration and Generation Integration Survey, a cross-sectional national survey of Korean adults, we analyzed data from 266 adults aged 60 and older. RESULTS: Older adults who perceived greater age stigma reported higher levels of loneliness and emotional isolation. Self-esteem played a significant indirect role in the association between perceived age stigma and the two emotional well-being outcomes. Moderated mediation analyses further revealed significant differences by marital status: self-esteem was a more powerful mechanism among unmarried older adults relative to their married counterparts. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that efforts to minimize public and internalized stigmatization of older adults and improve their self-esteem may be critical for their emotional well-being.

In elderly Caucasian women, younger facial perceived age correlates with better forearm skin microcirculation reactivity.

BACKGROUND: Visual and molecular changes occurring upon aging are rather well characterized. Still, aging signs show great significant inter-individual variations, and little is known concerning the link between perceived age and cutaneous microcirculation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To investigate this point, we recruited Caucasian women in their mid-50's to mid-70's and subsampled women looking older or younger than their age. We studied their facial skin color, as well as their microvascular reactivity to local heating assessed in the forearm skin. We also used skin biopsies from some of these women for gene expression or immunohistochemical analysis. RESULTS: Clinical and instrumental analysis of skin color revealed that subjects who look 5 years younger differ only by a higher glowing complexion. Our most striking result is that subjects looking 5 years younger than their age present a higher microcirculation reactivity in forearm skin. Transcriptome comparison of skin samples from women looking older or younger than their age revealed 123 annotated transcripts differentially expressed, among which MYL9 relates to microcirculation. MYL9 is downregulated in the group of women looking younger than their real age. Microscopy shows that the labeling of MYL9 and CD31 are altered and heterogeneous with age, as is the morphology of microvessels. CONCLUSION: Therefore, assessing generalized vascular reactivity in non-photo-exposed skin to focus on the intrinsic aging allows subtle discrimination of perceived age within elderly healthy subjects.

The respective weights of facial signs on the perception of age and a tired-look among differently aged Korean men.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the respective weights of certain facial signs on the assessment of the perceived age and a tired-look on Korean men of different ages. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Photographs were taken of the faces of 101 Korean men (20-80 years) under standardized conditions. These photographs allowed to define 16 signs, which were then graded by 15 experts/dermatologists, using standardized scales provided by a referential Skin Aging Atlas. These signs were dispatched into 5 clusters, namely Wrinkles/Texture, Ptosis/Sagging, Cheek pores, Pigmentation, and Vascular signs. A naïve panel of 200 Korean individuals (100 women, 100 men), of similar age range, were asked, when viewing full-face photographs, to (a) attribute on a 0-10 scale their perception of a tired-look and (b) estimate the age of the subject. RESULTS: The severity of all clusters increased with age, although at different rates. The Wrinkles/Texture or Ptosis/Sagging showed a rather regular progression, whereas Vascular presented the weakest changes. Although perceived and real ages were found highly correlated, almost 85% of the subjects were judged older by 1-15 years. The signs/clusters were found significantly correlated with perceived age, highly for Wrinkles/Texture and Ptosis/Sagging, moderate for Pigmentation, and low for Vascular and Cheek pores. The weights in perceived ages of Wrinkles/Texture and Ptosis/Sagging represent 81% and Pigmentation at 19%. Facial tired-look of Korean men was found significantly correlated with perceived age. Although Vascular and Cheek pores were found not impacting, Wrinkles/Texture, Ptosis/Sagging, and Pigmentation presented a clear influence. CONCLUSION: Within facial clusters, Wrinkles/Texture, Ptosis/Sagging, and Pigmentation are major factors in the assessment of perceived age in Korean men. The perception of an increased tired-look is significantly associated with increased perceived age.

Changes in facial signs due to age and their respective weights on the perception of age and skin plumpness among differently aged Korean women.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the respective weights of certain facial signs on the assessment of perceived age and plumpness on Korean women of different ages. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Photographs were taken of the faces of 112 Korean women of different ages (18-80 years) under standardized conditions. These photographs allowed to focus and define 19 facial signs, which were then graded by 15 experts and dermatologists, using standardized scales provided by a reference Skin Aging Atlas. The facial signs were dispatched into 5 clusters, namely Wrinkles/Texture, Ptosis/Sagging, Pigmentation disorders, Vascular disorders, and Cheek skin pores. A naïve panel, composed of 92 Korean women, of similar age range were asked, when viewing full-face photographs, to: (a) attribute on a 0-10 scale their perception of the skin plumpness (ie supple/hydrated/nourished) and (b) estimate the age of the subject. RESULTS: With the exception of Vascular disorders, the severity of all 4 clusters increased with age, although at different rates. The Wrinkles/Texture or Ptosis/Sagging showed a rather regular progression. Although perceived ages and real ages were found highly correlated, half of the subjects were judged older by 2-12 years. The facial signs/clusters were significantly correlated with perceived age, with the exceptions of vascular disorders, size of pigmentary spots and cheek skin pores. The weights in perceived ages of Wrinkles/Texture and Ptosis/Sagging represent 37% each and Pigmentation disorders at 26%. Skin plumpness was logically found significantly anti-correlated with perceived age. If, surprisingly, Vascular disorders were found not impacting the plumpness aspect, Cheek skin pores presented a clear influence. CONCLUSION: Within facial clinical clusters, Wrinkles/Texture, Ptosis/Sagging, and Pigmentation disorders are major factors in the assessment of perceived age in Korean women. The perception of a decreased skin plumpness is significantly associated with increased perceived age.

Differences between perceived age and chronological age in women: A multi-ethnic and multi-centre study.

OBJECTIVE: Accuracy in assessing age from facial cues is important in social perception given reports of strong negative correlations between perceived age and assessments of health and attractiveness. In a multi-ethnic and multi-centre study, we previously documented similar patterns of female facial age assessments across ethnicities, influenced by gender and ethnicity of assessors. METHODS: Here we extend these findings by examining differences between estimated age from digital portraits and chronological age (Δ age) for 180 women from three age groups (20-34, 35-49, 50-66 years) and five ethnicities (36 images of each ethnicity, assessed for age on a continuous scale by 120 female and male raters of each ethnicity). RESULTS: Across ethnicities, Δ age was smallest in French assessors and largest in South African assessors. Numerically, French women were judged oldest and Chinese women youngest relative to chronological age. In younger women, Δ age was larger than in middle-aged and older women. This effect was particularly evident when considering the interaction of women's age with assessor gender and ethnicity, independently and together, on Δ age. CONCLUSION: Collectively, our findings suggest that accuracy in assessments of female age from digital portraits depends on the chronological age and ethnicity of the photographed women and the ethnicity and gender of the assessor. We discuss the findings concerning ethnic variation in skin pigmentation and visible signs of ageing and comment on implications for cosmetic science.

OBJECTIF: La capacité à évaluer l'âge d'un visage avec exactitude en fonction de ses caractéristiques est important dans sa perception sociale. En effet, des corrélations négatives fortes ont été rapportées entre l'âge perçu d'un visage d'une part, et sa santé et attractivité d'autre part. Dans le cadre d'une étude multi-ethnique et multicentrique, nous avons déjà documenté, dans une démarche similaire, comment la perception de l'âge de visages féminins entre différentes populations, est influencée par le genre et l'origine des évaluateurs. METHODES: Ici nous approfondissons ces premiers résultats par l'étude des différences entre l'âge estimé sur portraits numériques de 180 femmes issues de 3 groupes d'âges (20-34, 35-49, 50-66 ans) et de 5 populations d'origine différente (36 images de chaque population) et leur âge réel (Δ âge), et ce par 120 évaluatrices et évaluateurs de chaque population évaluant l'âge des visages en utilisant une échelle continue. RESULTATS: Au sein des différentes populations d'évaluateurs, le Δ âge le plus faible a été trouvé chez les évaluateurs français et le plus élevé chez les évaluateurs sud-africains. Sur portraits numériques, les femmes françaises ont été perçues comme étant les plus âgées et les femmes chinoises les plus jeunes, par rapport à leur âge réel. Chez les femmes les plus jeunes, le Δ âge a été plus élevé que chez les femmes d'âge moyen et les plus âgées. Ceci a particulièrement été le cas lorsque l'on considère les interactions entre l'âge des femmes évaluées, et le genre et l'origine des évaluateurs, de façon indépendante ou liée, avec le Δ âge. CONCLUSION: Aux travers des différentes analyses, nos résultats suggèrent que l'exactitude avec laquelle l'âge des femmes est évalué sur images numériques de leur visage, dépend de l'âge réel et de l'origine de ces femmes photographiées, ainsi que de l'origine est du genre de l'évaluateur. Nous discutons ces résultats en regard des variations de pigmentation cutanée et de signes visibles de l'âge entre les différentes populations et commentons les implications possibles pour les sciences cosmétiques.

Perceived age and perceived health among a Chinese cohort: Does it mean the same thing?

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Previous investigations have aimed at investigating parameters affecting age perception on several ethnicities. Perceived health has been a newer focus on Caucasian skin, yet little is known on the skin features used to estimate the health status of Chinese women and we aimed to investigate whether these cues are the same as those used for age perception. METHODS: Age and health appearance of 276 Chinese female volunteers were estimated from their photographs by 1025 female naïve Chinese graders 20-69 years old. Models were built to predict perceived age and health from topographic, colour and biophysical measured variables, in two subsets of the studied volunteers: below and above 50 years. Machine learning-based predictive models for age and health perception were built on the collected data, and the interpretability of the models was established by measuring feature importance. RESULTS: Age perception was mostly driven by topographic features, particularly eye bags and eyelid sagging in the group below 50 years old. Wrinkles, notably from the lower part of the face and oval of the lower face, were found to be more relevant in the group above 50 years. Health appearance was primarily signalled by skin imperfections and global pigmentation in the subset below 50 years, whereas colour-related parameters and skin hydration acted as health cues for the subset above 50 years. CONCLUSION: Distinct skin features were acting as cues for age perception and/or health perception and varied per age subset. Their contribution should be borne in mind when designing products for 'younger looking skin' and 'healthier looking skin'.

OBJECTIF: Des études se sont penchées sur les paramètres cutanés influant sur la perception de l'âge, et ce sur plusieurs groups ethniques. La santé perçue quant à elle est un focus plus récent, avec des données publiées sur les peaux caucasiennes, au contraire des peaux chinoises. Nous avons donc décidé d'étudier quels sont ces paramètres cutanés influant sur la santé perçue et s'ils diffèrent de ceux utilisés dans la perception de l'âge, au sein d'un panel de femmes chinoises. MÉTHODES: L'âge et la santé cutanée de 276 femmes chinoises ont été estimés à partir de leurs photographies par un panel de 1025 évaluatrices naïves âgées de 20 à 69 ans. Des modèles ont été construits pour prédire l'âge et la santé perçus à partir de paramètres cutanés topographiques, de couleur et biophysiques, dans deux groupes d'âges différents : en dessous et au-dessus de 50 ans. Des modèles prédictifs basés sur l'apprentissage automatique (Machine learning) pour la perception de l'âge et de la santé ont été construits à partir des données collectées et l'interprétabilité des modèles a été établie en mesurant l'importance des paramètres cutanés. RÉSULTATS: Nos résultats montrent que la perception de l'âge repose principalement sur des paramètres topographiques, en particulier les poches sous les yeux et l'affaissement de la paupière, pour le groupe âgé de moins de 50 ans. Les rides, notamment celles de la partie basse du visage et le contour de la partie basse du visage se sont montrés pertinents pour estimer l'âge dans le groupe âgé de plus de 50 ans. La perception de la santé est principalement affectée par les imperfections cutanées et la pigmentation dans le groupe âgé de moins de 50 ans, tandis que des paramètres liés à la couleur et l'hydratation prennent le relais pour le groupe âgé de plus de 50 ans. CONCLUSION: Des paramètres cutanés de nature diverse sont pris en compte selon que l'on essaye d'estimer l'âge ou la santé, et ce en fonction du groupe d'âge étudié. Leur contribution doit être prise en compte lors de la conception de produits pour une «peau d'apparence plus jeune¼ et une «peau d'apparence plus saine¼.

Understanding the mechanisms underlying the effects of negative age stereotypes and perceived age discrimination on older adults' well-being.

Objectives: Although numerous studies have documented that negative age stereotypes and perceived age discrimination are related to older adults' lower well-being, few studies have investigated the mechanisms underlying these relationships. In this study, we tested whether self-perceptions of aging and subjective age would help to account for the relation between stereotypes and discrimination and self-esteem. According to the internalization hypothesis, we expected that the effects of negative age stereotypes and greater perceived age discrimination would be driven by more negative self-perceptions of aging and older subjective age. Method: A total of 151 older adults completed questions assessing their endorsement of negative age stereotypes, perceived age discrimination, self-perceptions of aging, subjective age, and self-esteem. Relationships among these variables were assessed using serial mediation analyses. Results: Consistent with the internalization hypothesis, negative age stereotypes and perceived age discrimination indirectly predicted older subjective age and lower self-esteem through worsening self-perceptions of aging. However, we did not find a direct effect of negative age stereotypes or perceived discrimination on subjective age, nor an indirect effect of negative age stereotypes and perceived age discrimination on self-esteem through subjective age. Conclusion: These results support the internalization hypothesis: among older adults, holding more negative age stereotypes and perceiving more age discrimination is associated with feeling older and with lower self-esteem through worsened perceptions of one's own aging. Given the central role of self-perceptions of aging, these findings highlight the importance of promoting more positive self-perceptions in order to maintain or increase older adults' well-being.

Predictors of subjective age in community-dwelling older adults in Korea.

Subjective age, or felt age, is highly related to one's actual health and survival. This study was conducted to explore subjective age in community-dwelling older adults in Korea, and to identify predictors of subjective age. Participants were 616 Korean older adults who were living in the community. A multiple regression analysis with a stepwise method was conducted to analyse subjective age. On average, the participants felt 7.8 per cent younger than their actual age. A multiple regression analysis revealed that less severe depression, having better perceived health, having no visual impairment, having higher handgrip strength, and living in a metropolitan area were associated with younger subjective age. Further studies are needed to determine the factors associated with subjective age in older adults. Based on this study, conceptual analyses of subjective age or longitudinal studies to determine the factors affecting subjective age are advisable.

Subjective physical and cognitive age among community-dwelling older people aged 75 years and older: differences with chronological age and its associated factors.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine the associations between self-reported subjective physical and cognitive age, and actual physical and cognitive functions among community-dwelling older people aged 75 years and older. METHOD: The sample comprised 275 older adults aged 75-91 years. Two questions were asked regarding subjective age: 'How old do you feel physically?' and 'How old do you feel cognitively?' To assess physical functions, we measured handgrip strength, knee extension strength, standing balance and walking speed. Tests of attention, executive function, processing speed and memory were performed to assess actual cognitive function. RESULTS: Subjective physical and cognitive age was associated with performance on all of the physical and cognitive tests, respectively (p < 0.01). We also found that older adults who reported themselves as feeling older than their chronological age had a slower walking speed and lower scores for word-list memory recall than those who did not report themselves as feeling older than their actual age. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that promoting a fast walking speed and good memory function may help to maintain a younger subjective physical and cognitive age in older adults aged 75 years and older.

Influence of facial skin ageing characteristics on the perceived age in a Russian female population.

OBJECTIVE: The desire for a youthful look remains a powerful motivator in the purchase of cosmetics by women globally. To develop an anti-ageing solution that targets the need of end consumers, it is critical to understand which signs of ageing really matter to them and which influence their age perception. To date, such research has not been performed in a Russian population. The aim of this work was to identify the signs of ageing that contribute the most to an 'older' or 'younger' look for Russian women aged 40 years old and above. METHODS: The age of 203 Russian female volunteers was estimated from their standard photographs by a total of 629 female naïve assessors aged 20-65 years old. Perceived age data were related to 23 facial skin features previously measured using linear correlation coefficients. Differences in average severity of the correlating skin ageing features were evaluated between women perceived older and women perceived younger than their chronological age. Volunteers' responses to a ranking question on their key ageing skin concerns previously collected were analysed to provide an additional view on facial ageing from the consumer perspective. RESULTS: Nine facial skin ageing features were found to correlate the most with perceived age out of the 23 measured. Such results showed the importance of wrinkles in the upper part of the face (crow's feet, glabellar, under eye and forehead wrinkles), but also wrinkles in the lower half of the face associated with facial sagging (upper lip, nasolabial fold). Sagging was confirmed of key importance to female volunteers aged 41-65 years old who were mostly concerned by the sagging of their jawline, ahead of under eye and crow's feet wrinkle. The severity of hyperpigmented spots, red and brown, was also found to contribute to perceived age although to a weaker extent. CONCLUSION: By providing a clear view on the signs of ageing really matter to Russian women who are aged 40 years old and above, this research offers key information for the development of relevant anti-ageing solutions specifically targeting their needs and their desire to achieve younger-looking skin.

Is age discrimination a risk factor for frailty progression and frailty development among older adults? A prospective cohort analysis of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing.

BACKGROUND: With the increasing global burden of frailty on healthcare resources, it is important to understand the modifiable risk factors of frailty. This study examined perceived age discrimination as a potential risk factor for frailty progression and frailty development among older adults. METHODS: Prospective cohort study using data from Waves 5 to 9 of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA). Data on perceived age discrimination was collected only in Wave 5 of ELSA and analysed as baseline data in this study. Frailty was defined using the Frailty Index (FI) scores (0 to 1), calculated using the multidimensional deficits (scores ≥ 0.25 were considered frail). Binomial generalised estimating equation models (GEE) were fitted in R studio using perceived age discrimination as the main predictor with age, gender, long-standing illness, cognition, subjective social status status (SSS) and psychological wellbeing as covariates. Odd ratios were reported with 95 % confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: A total sample of 2,385 ELSA participants were included in the analysis. 55.8 % (n = 1312) were female, mean age 71.9 (SD ± 5.27) years and baseline frailty prevalence was 12.1 % (n = 288). Perceived age discrimination was reported by 38.4 % (n = 916) of the participants. Both frailty progression (OR 1.50, CI [1.26- 1.70]) and frailty development (OR 1.39, CI [1.14-1.62]) were significantly associated with perceived age discrimination in the fully adjusted models. Age (80+ years) (OR 3.72, CI [2.84-4.86]) and long-standing illness (OR 5.45, CI [4.43-6.67]) had the strongest association with respondents' frailty progression. CONCLUSION: Perceived age discrimination significantly increased the risk of frailty progression and frailty development among ELSA participants.

Facial Skin Aging Characteristics of the Old-Perceived Age in a 20-40 Years Old Chinese Female Population.

Purpose: In the quest for a youthful appearance, women use a variety of anti- aging cosmetics. Defining skin problems is especially important for the selection of anti-aging solutions. However, the skin problems faced by Chinese women at different ages are different. This study aimed at Chinese women aged 20-40 years old and analyzed facial skin aging characteristics of those with old-perceived age. Patients and Methods: The total of 400 standard facial photographs from Chinese female volunteers aged 20-40 was assessed by another 126 Chinese women. The facial areas and skin aging characteristics that influenced age estimation were collected at the same time. Skin aging characteristics, including wrinkles, skin tone, pigmentation and pores, were analyzed based on facial photographs. Groupings were made based on deviation of perceived age from chronological age, and skin aging characteristics among groups were compared. Results: The perceived age of Chinese women aged 20-40 has a moderate correlation with chronological age. Women aged 20-30 generally had an old-perceived age. Deep skin tone was a prominent problem in this age group, with those who had the older-perceived age observed the darker and redder skin tone. Women aged 31-40 were perceived partly old but appeared with wrinkle aggravation, as well as deepening of redness, enlarged pores, and increased pigmentation at the mid-face. The perceived older women also had more visible frown lines and darker skin tone at the upper face. Conclusion: The perceived age of Chinese women aged 20-40 tends to deviate from their chronological age. Women aged 20-30 with old-perceived age are associated with deep skin tone, even found darker and redder in older-perceived women group, while women aged 31-40 are associated with wrinkles and deterioration at mid-face area and upper-face problems drive more attention in older-perceived women group.

Negative Emotions Are Associated With Older Self-perceived Age: A Cross-section Study From the UK Biobank.

BACKGROUND: Prior research has indicated a potential connection between psychological stress and how individuals perceive their own age. Building on this foundation, the current study explores the relationship between negative emotions and self-perceived age. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis using data from the UK Biobank, a comprehensive cohort study representing the UK population. The analysis included 347 892 participants, aged between 39 and 73 years, of which 184 765 were women, accounting for 53.1% of the sample. Participants were categorized into three groups based on their self-perceived age: feeling younger than their chronological age (group Younger), feeling older than their chronological age (group Older), and feeling as old as their actual age (group Same). To investigate the relationship between negative emotions and self-perceived age, we utilized a multinomial logistic regression model with the Younger group serving as the reference category. RESULTS: Of 347 892 participants, after adjusted for covariates, the results showed that participants with irritability, nervous feelings, worrier/anxious feelings or fed-up feelings, worry too long and loneliness/isolation are more likely to be rated as "about your age" or "older than you are," with "younger than you are" as the reference group, indicating that negative emotions may influence one's self-perceived age. Among those negative emotions, irritability has the most significant impact self-perceived age, with the odds ratios (ORs) being 1.44 (95% CI: 1.35-1.54) and 1.11 (95% CI: 1.09-1.14). CONCLUSION: Negative emotions are associated with older self-perceived age, and irritability has the greatest impact. Further studies analyzing self-perceived age are needed to take psychological factors into consideration.

Association of Chronic Diseases and Functional Limitations with Subjective Age: The Mediating Role of Sense of Control.

OBJECTIVES: This study examined the relationships between chronic diseases, functional limitations, sense of control, and subjective age. Older adults may evaluate their subjective age by reference to their younger healthier selves and thus health and functional status are likely to be determinants of subjective age. Although sense of control is also a potential predictor of subjective age, stress-inducing factors associated with disease and functional limitations may reduce older adults' sense of control, making them feel older. METHODS: Using the 2010 and 2014 waves of the Health and Retirement Study, structural equation modeling was performed on a sample of 6,329 respondents older than 50 years to determine whether sense of control mediated the relationship between chronic diseases, limitations in instrumental/basic activities of daily living (ADLs, IADLs), and subjective age. RESULTS: Chronic diseases and limitations in ADLs had a positive, direct association with subjective age (ß = 0.037, p = .005; ß = 0.068, p = .001, respectively). In addition, chronic diseases and limitations in ADLs and IADLs were positively, indirectly associated with subjective age via a diminished sense of control (ß = 0.006, p = .000; ß = 0.007, p = .003; ß = 0.019, p = .000, respectively). DISCUSSION: As predicted by the Deterioration model, the findings showed that chronic diseases and functional impairment are associated with older adults feeling older by challenging the psychological resource of sense of control. Appropriate interventions for dealing with health challenges and preserving sense of control may help prevent the adverse downstream effects of older subjective age.

The role of self-perceived age in older adults considering adjuvant chemotherapy.

INTRODUCTION: Aging-related concerns can increase the risk of treatment toxicities among older adults considering adjuvant chemotherapy. We previously demonstrated that older adults with cancer who reported feeling older than their chronological age (i.e., self-perceived age) were more likely to have aging-related concerns identified during a geriatric assessment. We explored how decisions about adjuvant chemotherapy vary with or are related to older adults' self-perceived age. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a secondary analysis of a multi-phased feasibility pilot using semi-structured interviews that were conducted to explore the patient decision-making process for adjuvant chemotherapy. Interviews incorporated questions about chronological and perceived age as factors for decision-making. Patient eligibility for the study included (1) age ≥ 70 years and older, (2) a diagnosis of breast, colon, or lung cancer and considering adjuvant chemotherapy, and (3) able to read size 18 font in English. Interview data were analyzed using constant comparative method. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients were enrolled. The mean chronological age was 78 years (range 71-91). The average perceived age of patients was 57 years (range 21-80). Eleven patients chose to receive treatment while ten patients did not. Aging-related themes illustrated that self-perceived age plays an important role when patients make decisions about adjuvant chemotherapy. More specifically, patients who reported their self-perceived age as younger than their chronological age also reported better perceived health status and chose to receive adjuvant chemotherapy. DISCUSSION: Patients' experiences of aging and self-perceived age may have different implications for decision-making.

Diagnoses of Chronic Health Conditions and Change in Subjective Age: The Moderating Role of Chronological Age.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Health is a predictor of subjective age, and although inconclusive, the strength of this association is not uniform across different age groups. This study investigates if new diagnoses of chronic health conditions are associated with a change in subjective age and if chronological age moderates this relationship. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Using data from the Health and Retirement Study, residualized change regression analysis was performed for a sample of 5,158 respondents older than 50 years to examine their subjective age in 2014 relative to that reported in 2010. The main predictor was the number of chronic health conditions newly diagnosed between 2010 and 2014. Chronological age in 2010 was the moderator. RESULTS: Results showed that each new diagnosis of a chronic health condition was significantly associated with a 0.68-year increase in subjective age reported in 2014, compared to subjective age reported in 2010. However, this increase in subjective age was attenuated by 0.05 years for each additional year in 2010 chronological age. DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS: According to Social and Temporal Comparison theories, people compare themselves to their age peers and earlier selves. Given expectations for better health at younger chronological ages, being diagnosed with chronic health conditions may have a stronger association with subjective age among middle-aged persons when compared with older persons. The findings suggest that subjective age may be used as a screening tool to predict how chronic disease diagnosis may influence peoples' sense of self, which in turn shapes future health.