Chronic disease-related behaviors in U.S. older women: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2003

To estimate the prevalence of selected behaviors related to chronic diseases among women > or =65 years old using the 2003 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data.

Seven behaviors were assessed: having a healthy weight, current cigarette smoking status, consumption of at least five fruits or vegetables daily, leisure time physical activity in the the past month, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity during the average week, influenza immunization in the past year, and lifetime pneumococcal immunization. With increasing age, women > or =65 years old were more likely to have a healthy weight, to be a nonsmoker, and to consume at least five fruits or vegetables daily and less likely to participate in any leisure time or moderate-to-vigorous physical activities. Women with higher incomes and educational attainment were more likely to engage in most healthful behaviors and to have a healthy weight. However, black non-Hispanic women were less likely than white women or those of other race or ethnicity to engage in most healthful behaviors and to have a healthy weight. Women who rated their health as fair or poor were more likely to receive a pneumococcal immunization, and those who rated their health as excellent were least likely to receive an influenza immunization in the past year.

BRFSS data can be used to monitor the prevalence of behaviors related to chronic disease of women aged > or =65 years and to develop programs and polices that promote and reinforce healthful behaviors. These measures have the potential to help reduce morbidity and morality from chronic disease in older women, thereby minimizing the discrepancy between years of healthy life expectancy and life expectancy.