LIFESTYLE AT MIDLIFE PREDICTIVE OF INDEPENDENT LIVING AT OLD AGE?

Objectives: We investigated the role of lifestyle factors at midlife in relation to independent living at old age in a cohort study with a follow-up time of 21 years. Setting and Participants: The study population was a random subcohort from the Netherlands Cohort Study (NLCS) aged 55-69 years at ba...

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Published in:Journal of aging and physical activity 2012-08, Vol.20, p.S280-S281
Main Authors: Vroling, H, Galindo Garre, F, Perenboom, R, Chorus, A, Schouten, L, Van den Brandt, P, Goldbohm, R A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Chronic diseases
Exercise
Lifestyle
Measurement
Men
Obesity
Smoking
Trends
Women
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Summary:Objectives: We investigated the role of lifestyle factors at midlife in relation to independent living at old age in a cohort study with a follow-up time of 21 years. Setting and Participants: The study population was a random subcohort from the Netherlands Cohort Study (NLCS) aged 55-69 years at baseline in 1986 (n = 4405). Measurements: Independent living was assessed as: 1) ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs) assessed in 2000, and 2) use of formal care (home care, institutionalized care), obtained through linkage with a nationwide insurance-based care registry, available for 2004-2007. Lifestyle (diet, physical activity, smoking, and BMI), age, education, and presence of chronic diseases (all measured in 1986) were used as independent variables in logistic regression with outcomes well-functioning and non-use of permanent formal care. Results: For men, current smoking was the only statistically significant lifestyle factor to reduce functioning (OR: 0.43, 95%CI: 0.32-0.58). In women, current smoking (OR: 0.64, 95%CI: 0.44-0.94), being overweight (OR: 0.77, 95%CI: 0.62-0.96) or obese (OR: 0.30, 95%CI: 0.18-0.48) reduced functioning, whereas physical activity (p trend 0.03), dietary saturated fat (OR per en% fat: 1.04, 95%CI: 1.01-1.08), and fruit consumption (p trend 0.01) enhanced functioning. Current smoking enhanced use of care in men (OR: 0.47, 95%CI: 0.32-0.70) and being an ex-drinker in women (OR: 0.34, 95%CI: 0.13-0.94). Adding ADL as independent variable did not change the ORs of the lifestyle variables, although having problems with ADL enhanced care use in men (OR: 0.57, 95%CI: 0.40-0.82) and women (OR: 0.39, 95%CI: 0.29-0.53). Conclusion: Not smoking is the main determinant of independent living in men, even after adjustment for chronic disease. In women, other lifestyle determinants besides smoking, i.e. physical activity, diet and BMI are also important.
ISSN:1063-8652