Why do women typically outlive men?

 

Researchers explain why there is a diminishing disparity between men and women in terms of life expectancy and aging

Despite a dramatic rise in life expectancy in the Western world over the 20^th century, women continue to outlive males. In Finland, women live an average of 5 years longer than men. The sex difference was greatest in the 1970s when life expectancy at birth was approximately 10 years longer for females than for males. However, this disparity has largely closed in recent years.

The sex difference was greatest in the 1970s when life expectancy at birth was approximately 10 years longer for females than for males. However, this disparity has largely closed in recent years.

Sex differences are also evident in biological aging, according to a study recently published in The Journals of Gerontology - Series A. This study investigated whether there are differences in biological aging between men and women and whether the differences can be explained by lifestyle-related factors. These differences have been studied in young and old people.
Numerous epigenetic clocks have been employed as biological aging indicators. Epigenetic clocks allow us to study longevity-related factors in an individual's lifetime. They provide an estimate of biological age using DNA methylation levels determined from blood samples.
According to the Center for Gerontological Research and Sports Health, “men were physiologically older than women of the same age, and the discrepancy was most pronounced among older individuals.”
More frequent smoking in males explains gender-specific age differences in older, but not younger adult twins. Only a few have been explained.
Researchers found differences in aging rates between the sexes that weren't explained by lifestyle-related factors, the author notes. "Our study also compared the aging rates of couples of opposite-sex twins using a pretty unique study design.”
Similar differences were observed in these twin pairs. The male siblings were approximately one year older than their female twin sisters. “In addition to sharing a genetic half, these spouses grew up in the same setting. This difference can be explained, for example, by gender-specific genetic factors and the positive effects of the female hormone estrogen on health.” Says, Kankaanpä.

This study was conducted in collaboration with the Universities of Jyväskylä and Helsinki. Subjects were young (21 to 42 years old) and older (50 to 76 years old) adult twins from a twin cohort in Finland. 

Questionnaires were used to examine lifestyle-related characteristics such education, body mass index, smoking, alcohol use, and physical activity.

Results help researchers to understand lifestyle behaviors and gender differences associated with biological aging and life expectancy. The results suggest that the decline in smoking among men may partly explain why the gender gap in life expectancy has narrowed in recent decades.