Health promotion lifestyle in elderly in Gorgan, Northern Iran (2019)

Unhealthy lifestyle is the main cause of morbidity, mortality and preventable complications in the elderly. Performing health promotion behaviors are one of the most effective factors in maintaining and improving health. This study was done to determine the health promotion lifestyles in the elderly people.

This descriptive-analytical study was performed on 110 elderly people aged 60-88 years referred to teaching and medical centers in Gorgan, north of Iran during 2019. Data was collected using Health Promotion Lifestyle Profile 2 (HPLP-II) questionnaire. This questionnaire includes six dimensions of spiritual growth, responsibility for health, interpersonal relationships, stress management, physical activity and nutrition for evaluation health promotion behaviors status. The total score range of the instrument ranges from 52 to 208. A score of 52-103 was considered low level of compliance with health promotion behaviors and a score of 104-155 and scores above 156 was considered intermediate and high level, respectively.

The mean±SD of health promotion lifestyle was 143.52±17.36. There was a significant relationship between lifestyle and demographic characteristics (P<0.05). Spiritual growth and interpersonal relationships had the highest score among the six dimensions of health promotion behaviors.

Health promotion lifestyle in the elderly was low in terms of physical activity and stress management.