What makes women feel colder than men, and why do the elderly feel colder than younger people?

[WORLD] When winter hits, many people find themselves battling the cold. Some might wrap themselves in layers of clothing to stay warm, while others may feel the chill more intensely, regardless of how many sweaters they put on. It’s common to hear that women feel cold faster than men, and older individuals tend to shiver more than their younger counterparts. But why is this the case? In this article, we’ll explore the scientific reasons behind these differences, including factors such as muscle mass, metabolism, circulation, and evolutionary history.

The Science Behind Why Women Feel the Cold More Than Men

It is widely observed that women feel the cold more acutely than men. This phenomenon is largely due to biological and physiological differences, which play a significant role in how the body responds to temperature changes. One of the key factors at play is muscle mass.

Muscle Mass and Metabolism

Women generally have less muscle mass than men. According to Dr. Ralf Brandes, a professor of physiology at the Goethe University of Frankfurt, “Women typically have less muscle mass and therefore a lower metabolic rate, and generate less heat.” Muscle mass plays a crucial role in maintaining body heat because muscle contractions – whether voluntary or involuntary, like shivering – produce heat. The more muscle mass a person has, the faster their metabolism, and the more heat they generate, even while at rest.

Muscles burn calories for energy, and as a result, people with more muscle mass tend to maintain a warmer body temperature. Men, on average, have more muscle mass than women, which contributes to their increased ability to generate heat. The greater muscle mass leads to a higher resting metabolic rate, meaning their bodies burn food and fuel more efficiently, warming them in the process.

Evolutionary Adaptation

The evolutionary roles of men and women provide another explanation for why women feel the cold more. Dr. Rüdiger Köhling, director of the Oscar Langendorff Institute for Physiology at the Rostock University Medical Centre, explains that men’s increased muscle mass likely stems from evolutionary history. “While prehistoric men hunted – moving around and generating heat – women and children often stayed behind in their dwellings,” he says. This historical division of labor meant that men needed the physical strength to hunt and gather food, while women focused on domestic tasks, which required less movement and thus less heat production.

Over time, this division may have resulted in women developing less muscle mass compared to men, making them more susceptible to feeling the cold.

Blood Circulation and Core Temperature

Another key reason women feel the cold more than men is due to blood circulation. According to Dr. Brandes, women’s bodies are better at centralizing heat by directing more blood to their core, which is crucial for maintaining vital organ function. However, this process restricts blood flow to the extremities – such as the hands, feet, nose, and lips – which are the parts of the body that tend to feel cold first. This mechanism ensures that the body’s vital organs remain warm and functional, but it also means that women often experience colder extremities, contributing to the feeling of being colder overall.

Why Do Older People Feel the Cold More Than the Young?

It’s not just gender that affects how we experience the cold – age plays a significant role too. Older people often feel colder than younger individuals, and there are several physiological factors to explain this phenomenon.

Changes in Muscle Mass and Fat Distribution

As people age, they tend to lose muscle mass. This process, known as sarcopenia, means that older individuals have less muscle tissue to generate heat. Since muscle tissue is responsible for burning calories to produce warmth, a decrease in muscle mass leads to a reduced ability to maintain body temperature. In contrast, younger people generally have a higher muscle mass, which helps them produce more heat.

Additionally, older adults often experience a redistribution of body fat, with fat accumulating around the abdomen rather than providing insulation in other areas of the body. This shift means that older individuals may not have the same level of fat insulation as younger people, making it harder for them to retain warmth.

Reduced Circulation

Another factor that contributes to older adults feeling the cold more is a decline in circulation. As people age, their blood vessels become less efficient at delivering blood to the extremities. This reduction in circulation can cause hands and feet to feel particularly cold. In some cases, older individuals may have chronic conditions, such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease, that further impair blood flow, exacerbating the feeling of coldness.

Moreover, older adults often experience a diminished ability to regulate their core body temperature. The thermoregulatory mechanisms that help the body adjust to temperature changes become less effective with age, making it harder for older individuals to adapt to cold environments.

Slower Metabolism

Older adults also experience a slower metabolism, which affects their ability to generate heat. As people age, their metabolic rate decreases, meaning that their bodies don’t burn calories as efficiently as they did when they were younger. This slower metabolism can make it harder for older individuals to generate the internal heat needed to stay warm in cold conditions.

Hormonal Changes

Hormonal fluctuations, particularly during menopause, can also make women more sensitive to cold. As estrogen levels drop during menopause, women may experience changes in their body’s ability to regulate temperature. This can lead to feelings of coldness and discomfort, particularly in colder weather. The combined effects of hormonal changes, along with a decrease in muscle mass, make it more likely for older individuals, especially women, to feel the cold more than their younger counterparts.

The Role of Psychological Factors

In addition to the physiological factors, psychological aspects can also influence how individuals perceive the cold. For example, people who are anxious or stressed may be more sensitive to temperature changes. This heightened sensitivity can make someone feel colder than they actually are. Social factors also play a role; if someone is in a situation where others are complaining about the cold, they may be more likely to perceive the temperature as colder as well.

So, why do women feel the cold more than men, and older people feel the cold more than younger individuals? The answers lie in a complex mix of biology, evolution, and aging processes. Women’s lower muscle mass and differences in circulation make them more sensitive to cold, while evolutionary factors may have played a role in these disparities. Similarly, older individuals experience changes in muscle mass, circulation, and metabolism, which contribute to their greater sensitivity to cold temperatures.

Ultimately, it’s important to remember that everyone’s experience with temperature is unique, and understanding these differences can help us better support and accommodate those who may be more vulnerable to the cold.