Everyone has a different rate at which their body and mind ages. I believe there are huge biological processes that contribute to aging. Genetics have a large role in this too. Dependent on what genes you are given from your parents, this can heavily influence what your body goes through. Whether you lose your hair at a young age, whether you develop cancer that runs in the family, or whether you develop symptoms of some other inherited characteristic or disease, these all are due to aging. There is no way to prevent aging, however, our society believes you can. Plastic surgery, pills, etc. will all give the temporary solution to the glorified looks of youth.
In the reading Why We Age: Why Does Aging Happen, I found it particularly interesting that there could possibly be more than 300 theories on aging. I definitely believe it, but wow, that's such a large number! The concept of aging is terribly hard to explain because of all these theories. It may all be relative to what an individual sees or believes. There has to be some explanation in genetics that answer the question why we age, but I honestly can't answer that question.
I found this video on YouTube that I found very interesting. Check it out, it's a man who takes pictures of himself over the course of 17 years. It's amazing to see the changes in his physical appearances. It's a definite sign of aging.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bd4f2xeKg08
What would you define as healthy aging?
To be honest, I don't believe that healthy aging exists. Within our society today there are so many ways to counteract a so called "healthy aging". Whether we realize it or not our everyday activities are taking a toll on our bodies. Exercising too much, eating too healthy, eating too much or not enough, over medicating in the belief that we're keeping ourselves healthy, and so many other things can be considered an unhealthy way of life and aging. Too much of a good thing can become a very bad thing.
Though, I do believe there are steps to become healthy. However, in this world... it's extremely hard to pin point those things. It differs for every person, every body type, and every being. Its hard to determine what the right amount of exercise or food for one is. We all age differently, some better than others. Its up to the individual and what they choose to do with their life that determines their "healthy aging".
At what point in the lifespan does aging happen?
It depends on the definition you give aging. It could start at at conception, at birth, at the first wrinkle you see, or the gray hair on your head. I think believe aging happens at conception. The living being is constantly changing, nothing about us is static. I consider growth and development aging, therefore I believe it starts at conception.
How would you measure this? Can it be applied to everyone?
Every living being undergoes a certain amount of growth and development, so yes, aging can definitely be applied to everyone, everything. Aging can be measured in the sense of how fast someone's physical and mental characteristics change.
