The average Asian aging process

[mark!]

You might have seen this cartoon on the web. Is this just for laughs, or is there actually some truth to it?

After a bit of research I've found out that Asian women, particularly Japanese and Chinese, indeed tend to reach menopause at a later age. Moreover, western women show more complications and problems regarding the menopause process (like hot flashes), in contrast to Asian women. The hypothesised explanation for the physical differences (that seem to occur during menopause in all women) is that female fertility isn't necessary at a higher age.

Still, the question remains why this cultural difference exists, if it even exists, because I couldn't find any paper on this phenomenon that describes how many percent of Asian women actually show this physical transformation, and why western women don't seem to undergo this process at all.

 

[Drakkith]

Still, the question remains why this cultural difference exists, if it even exists, because I couldn't find any paper on this phenomenon that describes how many percent of Asian women actually show this physical transformation, and why western women don't seem to undergo this process at all.

What process? Suddenly appearing to go "downhill" in their 50's and 60's? That happens in women everywhere to some degree. And men too. It's just a natural part of aging. The exact change in the appearance of the person varies tremendously. My mother is in her late 50's and unlike the woman in the picture above, is still very thin, like she's always been. But she's always been very active outside and watches her weight, so I wouldn't expect a drastic change. Still, she most definitely looks her age. Silvering hair. Wrinkles starting to appear. Etc.

Do note that the diagram's suggestion that asian women do not change in their appearance from their 20's to their 40's is entirely wrong. Everyone changes as they age.

 

[berkeman]

After a bit of research

Can you post links to some of the papers you read in your research? That is how we start threads like this here at the PF...

 

[mark!]

As I've already said I couldn't find papers on the matter @berkeman, only on the web were several sources that claimed that Asians went "later" in menopause. However, in this health book it is determined to only 2 years later. If this is indeed true, I guess the comic image is just for laughs. But 2 years is not a big of a deal.

But I saw the image and I thought that it would be very interesting if indeed Asian women indeed would stay physically younger for a longer period of time than Caucasian women. That's why I wanted to find out more about this. Of course, I knew beforehand that a statement like this could never account for ALL Asian women, but still, if a great part of older Asian women would show this characteristic, unlike older women in the west, it would still be interesting to me.

Check this out by the way, a 63 year old mom with her 41, 40 And 36 year old daughters. (Without anything to support otherwise, I'm going to label this as an exception).

Still, the question remains why this misleading cartoon was made?

 

[Drakkith]

If this is indeed true, I guess the comic image is just for laughs. But 2 years is not a big of a deal.

I can assure you that the comic was indeed meant to be just for laughs.

Still, the question remains why this misleading cartoon was made?

Other than to tell you that it's a stereotype, I don't know what to say. Most stereotypes have some basis in reality, but I couldn't begin to estimate how accurate this stereotype is.

 

[Tom.G]

Hmmm... maybe the doctors have something after-all; keep BMI down and exercise up.

 

[Fervent Freyja]

Asian women are my idols for facial and body care! They have the methods down tight. I have noticed beauty and hygiene is usually approached in a step-like fashion that takes care of the whole. Effective.

 

[Dr_Zinj]

Probably the best data sets for determining physical age and capability by nationality/ethnicity/race would be among Olympic athletes. Those who aged slower, or maintained capability longer, would be competing effectively in the Olympics at a greater age than others. Just off hand, I can't recall any athletes in the same sports with a significantly wider range of competitive ages.

 

[texist]

Probably the best data sets for determining physical age and capability by nationality/ethnicity/race would be among Olympic athletes. Those who aged slower, or maintained capability longer, would be competing effectively in the Olympics at a greater age than others. Just off hand, I can't recall any athletes in the same sports with a significantly wider range of competitive ages.

Sort of relevant...

Could you be an athlete? Olympics 2012 by age, weight and height (incl. by country)
See the results of the first comprehensive analysis of the 11,000 contestants at London 2012

Old Olympians Ride Horses; Young Ones Do Flips