Original scientific paper
Sex Differences in Bone Loss – An Evolutionary Perspective on a Clinical Problem
William A. Stini
Abstract
The dramatic increase in the world's population that has occurred over the past 100
years has come largely through reductions in death due to infectious disease. An epidemiologic
transition to a preponderance of deaths due to degenerative conditions such
as cardiovascular disease and cancer is occurring in the developing countries as well as
in the industrialized ones. In the industrialized countries, demographic profiles now reflect
the increased life expectancies of both sexes. However, female life expectancies exceed
male by six or more years. Further change in mortality patterns will accompany
success in the reduction of the number of mortalities attributable to such degenerative
conditions as cardiovascular disease and cancer. In the 21st century, conditions associated
with senescence will be of increasing concern. Adaptive strategies that enhanced reproductive
success throughout most of human evolution may now prove detrimental to
human health as average life expectancies reach unprecedented length. In this environment,
differences in the survival mechanisms deployed by males as opposed to females
will become increasingly important.
Keywords
osteoporosis; gender; mortality; aging
Hrčak ID:
28104
URI
Publication date:
16.6.2003.
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