BACKGROUND AND AIM:

Health status is an independent predictor of mortality, morbidity and functioning in older people. The present study was designed to evaluate the link between socioeconomic status (SES), physical activity (PA), independence (I) and the health status (HS) of older people in Iran, using structural equation modelling.

METHODS:

Using computerized randomly selection, a representative sample of 851 75-year-olds living in Tehran (2007-2008), Iran, was included. Participants answered questions regarding indicators of HS, SES and also PA and I through interviews. Both measurement and conceptual models of our hypotheses were tested using Mplus 5. Maximum-likelihood estimation with robust standard errors (MLR estimator), chi-square tests, the goodness of fit index (and degrees of freedom), as well as the Comparative Fit Index (CFI), and the Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RSMEA) were used to evaluate the model fit.

RESULTS:

The measurement model yielded a reasonable fit to the data, χ2=110.93, df=38; CFI=0.97; RMSEA=0.047, with 90% C.I.=0.037-0.058. The model fit for the conceptual model was acceptable; χ2=271.64, df=39; CFI=0.91; RMSEA=0.084, with 90% C.I.=0.074-0.093. SES itself was not a direct predictor of HS (β=0.13, p=0.059) but it was a predictor of HS either through affecting PA (β=0.31, p<0.001) or I (β=0.57, p<0.001).

CONCLUSION:

Socioeconomic status appeared to influence health status, not directly but through mediating some behavioral and self-confidence aspects including physical activity and independence in ADL.

Det delprojekt, som redovisas här, bygger på ett koncept kallat Formkontroll för äldre, som utvecklats av Kerstin Frändin. Tanken är att erbjuda äldre människor en arena, ett s.k. Hälsans Hus, där man utöver olika typer av fysisk träning också erbjuds möjlighet till social och kulturell samvaro. Projektet, som genomfördes i Kinna, Örby och Skene, initierades av FoU Sjuhärad Välfärd och samfinansierades samt genomfördes utifrån stimulansmedel tillsammans med Marks kommun.

Summary In this population-based study of 75-year-old men (n = 498), we investigated the association between physical activity (PA) early in life and present bone mineral density (BMD). We demonstrate that a high frequency of competitive sports early in life is associated with BMD at several bone sites, indicating that increases in BMD following PA are preserved longer than previously believed. Introduction Physical activity (PA) increases bone mineral density (BMD) during growth. It is unclear if the positive effects remain at old age. In this study, we aimed to determine if PA early in life was associated with BMD in elderly men. Methods In this population-based study, 498 men, 75.2 ± 3.3 (mean±SD) years old, were included. BMD was assessed using DXA. Data concerning lifetime PA, including both competitive (CS) and recreational sports (RS), and occupational physical load (OPL), were collected at interview. Results Subjects in the highest frequency group of CS in the early period (10–35 years), had higher BMD at the total body (4.2%, p < 0.01), total hip (7.0%, p < 0.01), trochanter (8.7%, p < 0.01), and lumbar spine (7.9%, p < 0.01), than subjects not involved in CS. A stepwise linear regression model showed that frequency of CS in the early period independently positively predicted present BMD at the total body (β = 0.12, p < 0.01), total hip (β = 0.11, p < 0.01), trochanter (β = 0.12, p < 0.01), and lumbar spine (β = 0.11, p = 0.01). Conclusions We demonstrate that PA in CS early in life is associated with BMD in 75-year-old Swedish men, indicating that increases in BMD following PA are preserved longer than previously believed.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: There are few studies published that combine the interventions of physical training and nutrition. The aim of the present study was to describe the impact of a physical and nutritional intervention program for frail community-dwelling elderly people over the age of 75. METHODS: Ninety- six community-dwelling elderly people (58 women) were randomized to four different groups: i) a physical training program (aerobic, muscle strength, balance), ii) a nutritional intervention program (individually targeted advice and group sessions), iii) a combination of these interventions, and iv) a control group. At baseline subjects were screened for physical performance such as muscle strength, balance, mobility and activities of daily living, as well as nutritional aspects such as energy intake, body weight and fat-free mass. These measurements were repeated immediately after the intervention, which lasted for 12 weeks, and after another 6 months. RESULTS: The intention-to-treat analysis indicated significant improvements in lower-extremity muscle strength in both training groups compared with the nutrition group at 1st follow-up. There were small significant changes for some of the balance measurements in the training group without nutrition treatment. The nutrition intervention did not show any significant results. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows the positive effect on lower-extremity muscle strength directly after the intervention. Balance training most probably needs to be more individualized in order to be effective for frail elderly people. Further studies are needed, with larger sample sizes, to investigate the effects of these types of interventions before any further conclusions can be drawn.