Real age?

What’s your “real age”? This site claims to provide that–although it’s more about life expectancy. To some extent, it’s all silliness, but it’s interesting to see what factors this particular quiz includes. (Thanks to Library Tavern for the link.)

On one hand, I buy my estimated life expectancy as projected by the quiz–96.8 years. I was aiming for 93 years, but family history and current habits suggest that 96.8 isn’t out of the question.

What I don’t buy, though, is the “real age” figure. This quiz says my real age is 44.2 years.

Sure it is. OK, I’m probably healthier than I was at 44 (I certainly have better lung capacity), but in other ways I’m every day of 61 (nearing 62).

I guess the “real age” idea is posited on the 79-year average male life expectancy: If your projected expectancy comes out way longer, then you must be “younger” than your chronological age. Maybe.

Anyway, an interesting approach. Just don’t take it too seriously.

Hmm. Wonder if I could sell the idea that I’m really only 44.2 years old as part of a job search? “I’m only 44.2 years old, but I do have 39 years’ experience in my field…”

Maybe not.

6 Responses to “Real age?”

  1. Laura says:

    Hmm. . . I’m supposedly 23.8 instead of 31 and will only live to be 81.2. Seems long enough to me. And I don’t particularly want to be 23 again. I think you should definitely try this out at a job interview, though–“I’ve been in the library field since age 5!”

  2. Meg K. says:

    That was interesting, but I’ll take my REAL real age (32) over my “real age” of 12. 12!?? My life expectancy was around 90, which is longer than any of my grandparents lived, but given a grandparent from each side of the family battled Alzheimer’s for years, isn’t necessarily desirable.

  3. Liz says:

    Ok, what’s the secret? Have little stress, drive very little, and love your job? Those and family/personal blood sugar were the things that lowered my life expectancy to the low 70’s.

  4. walt says:

    Not the job (at least not at the moment). Great family history. Regular exercise. Good cholesterol, blood pressure, weight (well, could be better, but I’m still in the “normal” range) etc., etc.. Very little driving, and that always with seatbelt. Breakfast every day. Period. Three meals a day. Happily married. And I try to control stress. Did I mention great family history?

    That “real age” thing is just silly, though…as Meg certainly demonstrated.

  5. Iris says:

    Heh. I’m apparently only 6.7 years old. Please, sir, may I have a lolly pop now? Oh, and I’m going to live absolutely forever. hmmmm…

  6. Liz says:

    Oh, I was good on the exercise and diet stuff. Or at least those things didn’t lower my life expectancy. The big drops came from the things I mentioned above.