A Healthy Lifestyle in Old Age and Prospective Change in Four Domains of Functioning. (August 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Visser, Marjolein; Wijnhoven, Hanneke A. H.; Comijs, Hannie C.; Thomése, Fleur G. C. F.; Twisk, Jos W. R.; Deeg, Dorly J. H.
• Is Part Of: Journal of aging and health. Volume 31:Number 7(2019)
• Page Start: 1297
• Page End: 1314
• Publication Date: 2019-08
• Subjects: older adults -- physical functioning -- psychological functioning -- cognitive functioning -- social functioning; Older people -- Health and hygiene -- Periodicals; Geriatrics -- Periodicals; 618.97
• DOI: 10.1177/0898264318774430
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0898-2643

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this article is to study the associations between healthy lifestyle in old age and decline in physical, psychological, cognitive, and social functioning.Method: A population-based sample of 3, 107 Dutch men and women aged 55 and 85 years (1992/1993; Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam) was used with five 3-yeary follow-up examinations. Lifestyle score, based on smoking status, alcohol consumption, physical activity, and body mass index (BMI), ranged from 0 ( unhealthy ) to 4 ( healthy ). Outcomes included gait speed, depressive symptoms, cognitive status, and social contacts.Results: Persons with a healthy lifestyle had a 10.6% slower decline in gait speed (0.04 m/s, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [0.03, 0.05]), 10.8% slower increase in depressive symptoms (–1.07 [–1.70, –0.44]), a 1.8% slower decline in cognitive functioning (0.47 [0.23, 0.70]), and a 4.9% slower decline in social contacts (0.58 [0.01, 1.15]) compared with persons with no or one healthy lifestyle factor.Discussion: A healthy lifestyle benefits physical, psychological, cognitive, and social functioning up to very old age.