Date of Birth (Age)
Definition
The user's birth date, used to calculate age for risk interpretation and normative ranges.
Why It Matters
Most physiologic reference ranges shift with age: - VO₂ max - Naturally declines with age - Heart rate variability - Generally decreases with age - Resting heart rate - Reference ranges vary by age - Blood pressure - Risk thresholds may differ - Body composition - Norms change across the lifespan - Sleep patterns - Requirements and architecture shift
Age is essential for meaningful interpretation of nearly all health metrics.
How It's Obtained
User-entered in the Apple Health profile.
Use Cases
- Age-adjusted norms - Compare metrics to appropriate peer groups
- Risk calculations - Age-appropriate health assessments
- Fitness classifications - VO₂ max categories by age
- Trend interpretation - Distinguish age-related changes from other factors
Important Notes
- Age affects how almost every health metric should be interpreted
- Reference ranges in medical literature are typically stratified by age
- Accurate age entry is important for meaningful health insights