Normal body temperature among Chinese adults: Results from the China Health and Nutrition Survey, 2015 / 中华内分泌代谢杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To assess the change and inter-individual variation in body temperature and analyze related variables among Chinese adults.Methods:Data of of 9 184 participants[mean age(52.38±14.69) years, 4 350 men and 4 834 women] were obtained from the China Health and Nutrition Survey(CHNS) 2015. Descriptive statistics and liner regression models were deployed in the analysis.Results:Overall, the mean normal axillary body temperature was 36.43℃, higher temperature was observed in men(0.032℃, P<0.001) than women. Using the multivariate linear regression model, it was revealed that age, region, territory, season, height, and hip circumference were significantly associated with body temperature. Higher individual temperature was observed in urban(0.028℃) than rural, in southern(0.040℃) than northern, and in winter(0.054℃) than autumn. Body temperature was also negatively associated with age(-0.001℃ per year), hip circumference(-0.001℃ per cm), but is positively associated with height(0.003℃ per cm). With other variables controlled, body temperature was related to whether there is myocardial infarction(ever vs never 0.187℃). Conclusion:In China, the current normal body temperature is lower than that established in 19th century(37℃), and body temperature is related to several factors. When screening and diagnosing a disease, inter-individual variance should be fully considered.