Effect of Lifestyle on Health Disorders Among Older Adults in Ahvaz

Physical activity and active lifestyle delay the aging process. A better understanding of the lifestyle and health level of the elderly is useful in designing and prioritizing interventions for chronic diseases. This study aimed at exploring the relationship between lifestyle and health disorders in older adults in Ahvaz, Iran 2020.

In this descriptive-analytical study, 1000 older people were selected by systematic random sampling. Data were collected using Life Style Questionnaire (LSQ), Older People's Quality of Life Questionnaire (OPQOL), and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ). Data were analyzed in SPSS V22 applying descriptive statistics and analytical statistics (Pearson correlation coefficient or Spearman correlation coefficient). Structural equation modeling using AMOS software was used to test the theoretical model of the research and the validity of the questionnaires.

The mean age of participants was 69.5±6.5 years of whom 50.9% were women. Among the population studied 51% were overweight and 23% were obese. Confirmatory factor analysis showed significant relationships between health disorders and social health (β=1.23), quality of life (β=0.99), mental health (β=-0.78), lifestyle (β=0.57), individual factors (β=0.52), spiritual health (β=0.49), and physical health (β=-0.46), (P<0.05). According to the coefficient of determination, mental-psychological dimension (61%), spiritual dimension (51%), lifestyle (33%), individual factors (27%), social dimension (24%), and physical dimension (21%) explained the hidden variable of health disorder. In fitting the lifestyle model, the root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) was 0.052, which shows that the model has an acceptable fit.

Old adults should to be aware of the benefits of healthy lifestyle. Therefore, the health of this vulnerable group can be improved by implementing healthy lifestyle interventions, including stress management, healthy nutrition, and recreational activities.