Health and well-being among older adults in Zhejiang Province, China

By the end of the 20th century, China had transitioned into an aging society. With the aging population, the health problems of older adults have become a central concern for both families and society. Identifying and addressing these health issues is of paramount importance. The main objective of this study was to investigate the health and well-being of Chinese older adults aged ≥ 60 years. A cross-sectional design was employed, and 16,276 participants from 11 non-randomly selected counties in Zhejiang Province were enrolled in the Zhejiang Healthy Aging Cohort Study. The analysis included a wide range of variables, such as demographic characteristics, family status, social support, medical history, health behaviors, dietary habits, depressive symptoms, activities of daily living, and cognitive function. The results highlighted several significant health challenges among older adults, including a high prevalence of abdominal obesity, limited educational attainment, low income, insufficient physical activity, and inadequate nutritional intake. Additionally, 38.9% reported multimorbidity, 19.8% exhibited cognitive impairment, and 8.2% showed signs of depression. These findings underscore the need for targeted health interventions to improve the well-being of this aging population. Efforts should focus on promoting healthier aging through improved lifestyle choices and comprehensive health management strategies.