Introduction: Allostatic load refers to the cumulative burden of chronic stress and life events. It involves the interaction of different physiological systems at varying degrees of activity. When environmental challenges exceed the individual ability to cope, then allostatic overload ensues. Allostatic load is identified by the use of biomarkers and clinical criteria.
Objective: To summarize the current knowledge on allostatic load and overload and its clinical implications based on a systematic review of the literature.
Methods: PubMed, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library were searched from inception to December 2019. A manual search of the literature was also performed, and reference lists of the retrieved articles were examined.We considered only studies in which allostatic load or overload were adequately described and assessed in either clinical or non-clinical adult populations.
Results: A total of 267 original investigations were included. They encompassed general population studies, as well as clinical studies on consequences of allostatic load/overload on both physical and mental health across a variety of settings.
Conclusions: The findings indicate that allostatic load and overload are associated with poorer health outcomes. Assessment of allostatic load provides support to the understanding of psychosocial determinants of health and lifestyle medicine. An integrated approach that includes both biological markers and clinimetric criteria is recommended.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1159/000510696 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Allostatic load and psychological characteristics of transgender individuals. Preliminary case-control findings.
Psychoneuroendocrinology
December 2024
First Department of Psychiatry, Eginition Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 72-74 Vas. Sophias Ave, Athens 11528, Greece.
Despite considerable social progress, transgender people still face multiple chronic stressors. This study evaluated the allostatic load index and assessed specific psychological characteristics between transgender and cisgender participants who were matched based on age and assigned-at-birth gender. Twenty-one transgender people (52.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe long-term effects of housing insecurity in young adulthood on subsequent material hardship, physiological and mental health.
Soc Sci Med
January 2025
Division of Epidemiology & Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, 1300 S. 2(n,d) St., Minneapolis, MN, 55454, USA.
Economic and material hardship, including housing insecurity - limited or uncertain availability or access to safe, quality, and affordable housing - is strongly linked to negative physical and mental health outcomes among adolescents and adults. However, data limitations and the inherent selectivity of housing insecurity have hindered comprehensive analysis of its long-term effects on physiological and mental health. This study uses data from The National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health) to construct a sample of participants who experienced housing insecurity between the ages of 18-26 (Wave III) to a suitable control group using propensity score matching.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntergenerational mobility, race, and allostatic load: Diminished health returns for Black older adults?
SSM Popul Health
March 2025
Department of Sociology, Purdue University, United States.
Although socioeconomic status is salient for health and well-being across the life course, previous research indicates that the social gradient in health is racialized and that Black adults experience diminishing health returns on higher socioeconomic status. We extend this literature by examining whether there are diminishing physiological health returns on intergenerational mobility groups for Black adults and, if so, whether diminishing health returns vary across age. We use six waves of data from the Health and Retirement Study (N = 11,846) and mixed effects models; and average marginal effects are used to interpret the race by intergenerational mobility interaction.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAllostatic Load and Oxidative Stress Markers in Women With Early- and Late-Onset Preeclampsia.
Cureus
December 2024
Coordination of Gynecological and Perinatal Endocrinology, National Institute of Perinatology Isidro Espinosa de los Reyes, Mexico City, MEX.
Background: Allostatic load and oxidative stress (OS) markers differ in women with and without preeclampsia. However, there is no difference in allostatic load and OS markers between late-onset preeclampsia (L-OP) and early-onset preeclampsia (E-OP). This study aimed to compare the concentrations of allostatic load and OS markers in pregnant women with L-OP and E-OP.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFStress and Strain: Differentiating the Responses to High and Moderate Heat Loads and Subsequent Recovery in Grain-Fed Feedlot Steers-Metabolic Hormones.
Animals (Basel)
January 2025
School of Agriculture and Food Sustainability, The University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD 4343, Australia.
The extent of endocrine changes in response to various levels of heat stress and subsequent recovery is not well understood. Two cohorts of 12 Black Angus steers were housed in climate-controlled rooms (CCR) and subjected to three thermal periods: PreChallenge (5 d), Challenge (7 d) and Recovery (5 d). PreChallenge and Recovery provided thermoneutral conditions.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!