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Behavioral determinants of healthy aging.
Nancye M Peel1, Roderick J McClure, Helen P Bartlett
1Centre of National Research on Disability and Rehabilitation Medicine, Medical School, University of Queensland, Herston, Queensland 4006, Australia. n.peel@uq.edu.au
American Journal of Preventive Medicine
|March 16, 2005
Summary
Promoting healthy aging requires addressing lifestyle risk factors like smoking, diet, and physical activity. Policies should encourage lifelong modification of these behaviors to increase quality years of life.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Public Health
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Global population aging necessitates policies promoting healthy aging.
- Existing evidence on behavioral determinants of healthy aging requires synthesis for policy development.
- Healthy aging is defined as multidimensional functioning at the positive end of the health continuum.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and summarize evidence on behavioral determinants of healthy aging.
- To inform the development of effective healthy aging policies.
- To understand the efficacy of interventions for healthy aging.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search of medical, psychological, sociological, and gerontological databases.
- Inclusion of studies published between 1985 and 2003 reporting statistical associations between determinants and healthy aging.
- Identification of eight studies meeting the search criteria.
Main Results:
- Identified modifiable behavioral determinants of healthy aging.
- Key factors include smoking status, physical activity, body mass index, diet, alcohol use, and health practices.
- These factors are associated with healthy aging outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Effective healthy aging policies must promote lifelong modification of lifestyle risk factors.
- Enhancing opportunities for behavior change across the lifespan is crucial.
- Standardizing concepts and terminology will advance future research in healthy aging.