The Relationship Between Health-Promoting Behavior and Metabolic Syndrome Among Community Older Adults

Chiou, Ai-Fu

Tuesday, 31 July 2012: 3:55 PM

Ai-Fu Chiou, PhD, RN¹
Chien-Huan Wu, MS¹
I-Ju Chen, PhD, RN¹
Shu-lingn Cho, PhD²
(1)School of Nursing, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
(2)COLLEGE of MEDICINE, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei city, Taiwan

Learning Objective 1: understand the determinants of health-promoting behavior among community-dwelling older adults in Taiwan

Learning Objective 2: understand the relationships between health-promoting behavior and metabolic syndrome.

Purpose: Health-promoting behavior plays an important role on health status of older adults. Therefore, understanding the related factors of health-promoting behavior may help improvement of health status and quality of life of older adults. The purpose of this study is to explore the determinants of health-promoting behavior among community-dwelling older adults in Taiwan and the relationships between health-promoting behavior and metabolic syndrome.

Methods: This study used a descriptive, correlational design. A convenience sample of 213 community residents who were 60 years and older was recruited in this study. Data collection includes physical examination such as body mass index, blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol, and a structured questionnaire including the MOS 36-item short-form health survey, health promoting lifestyles profile II, perceived benefits and barriers of action checklist, general self-efficacy scale, and multidimensional scale of perceived social support.

Results: Metabolic syndrome was found in 60% of older adults. Participants had higher score in interpersonal relations and stress management of health-promoting behavior, but lower score in physical activity and spiritual growth. Health-promoting behavior was correlated with participants’ level of education, marital status, economic conditions, living arrangement, religious preference, health problems, medications, and behavior-specific cognitions and affect. Hierarchical multiple regression revealed that 43.4% total variance of health promotion behaviors was accounted for by literacy, living with others, physical function, perceived benefits of action, self-efficacy, and social support. Structural equation modeling displayed that 44% of behavior-specific cognitions and affect was explained by health status of the older adults, 80% of health-promoting behavior was explained by behavior-specific cognitions and affect, and 3% of metabolic syndrome was explained by health-promoting behavior.

Conclusion: Physical activity and spiritual growth needed to be promoted in older adults. Older adults who have better health-promoting behavior will have less metabolic syndrome risk factors.

See more of: Health Promotion and Disease Prevention: Health Care for Older Adults
See more of: Research Sessions: Oral Paper & Posters