How Quickly Are You Aging?
The Anti-Aging Solution: 5 Steps to Looking and Feeling Young
John Wiley & Sons, Hoboken, New Jersey, 2004. pp. 9 -13.
Giampapa, Pero and Zimmerman
Skin Elasticity – Pinch the skin on the back of your hand between the thumb and forefinger of the other hand for 5 seconds. Release it, and time how long it takes for skin to flatten out completely
a. 0 – 1 second - 20 – 30 years of age
b. 2 – 5 seconds – 40 – 50 years of age
c. 10 – 55 seconds = 60 – 70 years of age
Reaction Time – Using an 18-inch ruler or dowel, have someone hold it one inch from the top. Prepare to catch the falling ruler by leaving a 3 ½ inch space between the thumb and forefinger of your dominant hand. At an unexpected time, have the person holding the ruler let go of it. You must grab it as quickly as possible before it hits the floor. Note the inch mark where you caught the ruler. Average the results of three drops. Try your other hand.
a. 12 inches = 20 to 30 years of age
b. 8 inched – 40 – 50 years of age
c. 5 inches = 60 – 70 years of age
Static Balance – Standing barefoot, lift the foot on your non-dominant side about 6 inches off the ground and holding your knee at a 45 degree angle. Stand with your foot lifted without moving or jiggling. Have someone time how long you can do this. If it is too easy, repeat the exercise with your eyes closed.
a. 28 seconds = 20 – 30 years of age
b. 18 seconds = 40 – 50 years of age
c. 4 seconds = 60 – 70 years of age
Visual Accommodation – hold a newspaper in front of you while you are not wearing prescription lenses. Slowly bring the newspaper to your eyes until the regular-size letters start to blur. Have someone measure the distance from your eyes to the newspaper. Record.
a. 4.5 inches = 20 – 30 years of age
b. 12 inches = 40 – 50 years of age
c. 39 inches = 50 – 60 years of age
Waist to Hip Ratio – Divide your waist size in inches by your hip width in inches. Measure around your belly button and widest part of your hips. Men with a W/H ratio greater than 1.0 and women with a W/H ratio greater than 0.80 are at increased risk for CVD. Waist size alone is a good indicator of risk because middle body fat is associated with diabetes and heart disease. Men should be no more than 40 inches and women 35 inches or less.
6. Body Mass Index – measures your ratio of lean body mass to fat. Divide your weight in pounds by the square of your height in inches, then multiply by 703 to calculate your BMI. You can also go to CDC Home.