Gender differences in biological markers in the U.S., Taiwan and Japan

Sarinnapha Vasunilashorn, University of Southern California
Latrica E. Best, University of Southern California
Yasuhiko Saito, Nihon University
Eileen Crimmins, University of Southern California

Females in all countries of the world experience lower mortality and longer life expectancy than males; however, in the US and several other countries, gender differences in mortality have been shrinking. We compare biomarkers of health in the US (NHANES 1999-2000), Taiwan (SEBAS 2000), and Japan to better understand the paths to gender differentials in life expectancy. While it is known that the Taiwanese and Japanese are less heavy and generally healthier than Americans, other differences emerge when comparing countries by gender. Among men, systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP) is higher in Taiwan than in the US. Conversely, Taiwanese men have lower mean body mass index (BMI) and triglycerides compared to American men. For American women, BMI, triglycerides, high density lipoprotein, glycated hemoglobin, and albumin were higher compared to Taiwanese women. This study suggests that both intra- and inter-country gender differences in biomarkers exist.