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Aging & age metrics

Expected biological age

The population norm of "wear" for your age

Expected biological age — a reference curve and a point of comparison

Expected biological age (EBA) is the "reference" value of biological age, the average for people of your sex and chronological age in the population. It answers the question: what, on average, "should" biological age be at your age.

By itself, EBA diagnoses nothing — it serves as a baseline against which your actual estimated biological age is compared.

Why expected biological age is needed

An absolute biological-age figure says little without a comparison. Expected biological age sets the norm for your years: if your actual (estimated) biological age is above the expected value, the body is aging faster than average; if below, more slowly. It is on the difference between the actual and the expected value that conclusions about accelerated or slowed aging are built.

How it is obtained

Expected biological age is calculated from population data: on a large sample, the dependence of biological age on chronological age is established, and this formula gives the expected (due) value for a specific age and sex. This approach is used in Russian gerontology (the Voitenko method) and underlies the assessment of an individual's pace of aging.

How to use it

Its practical meaning appears in tandem with the actual biological age: their ratio gives the aging rate coefficient. It is only correct to compare values obtained with one and the same method and on a comparable population.

Calculate using this marker

Calculators where Expected biological age is used directly:

Frequently asked questions

Expected and biological age — what is the difference?

Biological (estimated) age is your individual value. The expected one is the average anticipated for your age and sex. Comparing the actual with the expected shows whether you are aging faster or slower than average.

Can you compare EBA from different calculators?

It is not advisable. Expected biological age depends on the population and the calculation method, so it is only correct to compare actual and expected age within one and the same model.

Related terms

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — Biomarkers of aging
  2. Wikipedia — Epigenetic clock
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This content is educational and does not replace consultation with a physician. Reference ranges may vary depending on the laboratory and method — rely on the ranges stated on your own test report.
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