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Aging process - nutrition
Aging is a natural process that affects all human beings. It is inevitable and is influenced by various biological and psychological factors that cause gradual changes in our bodies. This phenomenon is unique to each person, although everyone ages, they do not age in the same way. Aging is not limited to a chronological process, age is also related to certain characteristics that determine the state of physical and mental health of each individual. For this reason, although certain ages are considered thresholds for entering old age, it is important to consider other criteria for classifying the type of old age being referred to.
In this guide, we will explore some of the elements that define aging, emphasizing the different ages that are taken as a reference to evaluate the degree of old age of an individual.
When we refer to the chronological factor in determining a person's degree of old age, we are talking about chronological age. This is the most commonly used measure in the social sphere, although not always in the academic or scientific sphere. It is expressed in years, thus, if 65 years have passed since a person's birth, he or she is considered old or elderly.
Chronological age, however, is quite inaccurate and is not based on scientific patterns, which means that it is not always reflected in the same way in all individuals. This explains why we are sometimes surprised by the age of certain people, who may appear much younger or older than they really are.
The biological factor that influences the determination of an individual's age is more precise than the chronological one. By observing the biological characteristics of a person, criteria can be established that allow us to estimate his or her approximate age. This biological age is determined by the lifestyle that has been led over the years, the healthy habits, the quality of the diet and the existing diseases.
Therefore, we can find people of 65 years of age with a biological age that is considerably lower. Similarly, a 40-year-old may have characteristics that make him or her look like a 65-year-old. The biological factor reveals that each person ages at his or her own pace and that behaviors in youth play a crucial role in accelerating or decelerating the aging process.
Depending on whether we want to differentiate between mental health and psychological health, we can speak of a third dimension: psychological age. For many specialists, health is a single concept, so this psychological age would not exist. However, to illustrate this third age, let us examine the psychological factors in the classification of an individual's degree of aging.
Just as physical illness affects a person's perception of age, an individual's state of mental health and mindset give us a clear picture of his or her approximate age. By maintaining a proper balance between taking care of our physical and mental health, we can slow the aging process and move away from chronological patterns that attempt to generalize the degree of aging in each person.
