Activity and mortality among aged persons over an eight-year period
Article Abstract:
There is an activity theory that comes into play in considering the elderly; it holds that the more active one is, the longer one will live and be happy. This theory may not be true. While the activity theory has been discussed for more than 30 years and has influenced researchers, no one has formally studied the link between activity levels and long life; nor has research examined this theory within different ethnic groups. This study, based on data from an eight-year study of elderly Mexican Americans and Anglos, and involving 508 people examines the relationship between activity levels and subsequent mortality. There is a second theory that social support, thought to buffer the negative impact of stress on health, helps to reduce mortality rates, and this theory may or may not be valid. If activity alone is considered, activity levels and longevity seem to be associated. When variables such as age, gender, education, marital status, ethnicity, and poorer self-rated health are added, activity levels are no longer predictive of mortality. Using crude markers of social support, the results of this study did not support the concept that social support is predictive of long life, but the authors note that further research, using more refined measures of stress, will prove or disprove the social network theory. This study was also unable to predict mortality across two ethnic groups, but this lack of correlation may not be valid, since the number of sampled Mexican Americans was considerably larger than Anglos. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Journals of Gerontology
Subject: Seniors
ISSN: 0022-1422
Year: 1990
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Predictors of health status in middle-aged and older Mexican Americans
Article Abstract:
Recent studies have suggested that traditional predictors of health status are not as useful in the elderly as in other groups. One reason might be that in old age there is somewhat of a natural selection process, whereby those with various risk factors are the survivors who are the exceptions to the rule. Thus, they may not be at particular risk despite the presence of risk factors. Using data from the Hispanic Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, employment status, education, income, and marital status were investigated with regard to their relationship to health status in middle-aged and older Mexican Americans. Socioeconomic factors are traditionally seen as predictors of health status in middle age. Overall, there was a greater association between socioeconomic factors and health status in middle-aged than in older men. Most significant was the relationship between employment and health status. For women, there was no significant age-related influence on the relationship between socioeconomic variables and health status. It is suggested that this might be due to greater longevity in women despite risk factors, that is, natural selection. Other notable findings were lacking in the analysis. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Journals of Gerontology
Subject: Seniors
ISSN: 0022-1422
Year: 1991
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Physicians' ratings of health in middle and old age: a cautionary note
Article Abstract:
The validity of physician's rating of health was evaluated against data collected from self-reported health suveys of middle-aged and elderly Mexican Americans from ages 45 to 74. There were discrepancies found in physician assessments and self-ratings wherein the physicians were generally optimistic with with their assessments while respondents underrated themselves. Discrepancies, likewise, were noted in assessments of subjects between two different physicians.
Publication Name: Journals of Gerontology
Subject: Seniors
ISSN: 0022-1422
Year: 1993
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