Adolescent and elderly white male suicide trends: evidence of changing well-being?
Article Abstract:
Suicide rates vary greatly by sex, age, and race. The highest suicide rates are found among adolescent and elderly white males. Since World War II, rates for adolescent white males have increased 200 percent and are still rising. For white males over 65 years of age, rates declined until 1981, but have since risen sharply. Preston has hypothesized that these increases are related to an overall decrease in the sense of well-being in these groups. Preston has suggested that conditions and resources for children have declined since World War II, while increasing for the elderly until the past few years. He associated these declines with a decreased sense of well-being and an increase in the suicide rate. This study examined whether suicide rates were related to well-being in these two groups. Suicide data were collected for these groups from the Annual Vital Health Statistics Report. Suicide rates were then compared with social factors that affect well-being, such as poverty and divorced parents for adolescents and poverty and health problems for the elderly. Results showed that suicide rates were correlated with poverty and family dissolution for white adolescent males, but not with Aid to Families with Dependent Children payments. Increased affluence and health care were found to be correlated with an increased sense of well-being in the elderly and decreased suicide rates since World War II, except for the increases seen in the past few years. These results indicate that economic security is important for maintaining a sense of well-being and possibly decreasing suicide rates. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Journals of Gerontology
Subject: Seniors
ISSN: 0022-1422
Year: 1991
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Comparison of methods for estimating body composition in young and elderly women
Article Abstract:
Evaluations of body composition are helpful in determining the effect of drugs on the patient, and are important in assessing several disease states, such as severe obesity and malnutrition. Body composition refers to the measurement of fat and fat-free mass (protein, water, and bone mineral). A number of methods exist to determine body composition. Five of these methods were used to assess groups of healthy young and elderly women. These included the bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), regression equations involving skinfold measurements at two body sites, equations involving skinfold measurements at three body sites, the body mass index (BMI), and a height and weight to total body water equation (TBW). The groups consisted of 14 young women (aged 20 to 29 years), and 14 older women (aged 65 to 72 years). None of the subjects had experienced any recent significant weight loss or gain, and were not on special diets for weight gain or reduction. Laboratory and physical examinations were made on all subjects, who were determined to be healthy. The results indicate that the BIA and the two methods which utilized skinfold measurements were the most effective in detecting differences in percent body fat and fat-free mass in both the elderly and the young women. The BMI and the TBW were the least effective in determining these quantities. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Journals of Gerontology
Subject: Seniors
ISSN: 0022-1422
Year: 1990
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Effects of age and exercise training on size and composition of the rat leftmain coronary artery
Article Abstract:
The effects of age and exercise training on the size and composition of the rat left main coronary artery were evaluated (LMCA). Rats less than 5 months old and those 27.5 months old were also divided into trained and weight-matched sedentary controls. Results showedthat aging increased the left ventricle weight by 40%, proportional to the bodyweight. Exercise, on the other hand, resulted in left ventricular hypertrophy in both age groups. LMCA wall area increased with aging while wall thickness, collagen area and the collagen-to-elastin ratio were unaffected.
Publication Name: Journals of Gerontology
Subject: Seniors
ISSN: 0022-1422
Year: 1993
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