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Joint trajectories of multiple health-related behaviors among the elderly

  • Original Article
  • Published:
International Journal of Public Health

Abstract

Objectives

The main goal of this study was to identify the multiple trajectories of the following four health behaviors among the elderly by gender: smoking, drinking alcohol, getting regular exercise, and having a health checkup

Methods

Data were from a longitudinal survey conducted among the elderly from 1996 to 2007 in Taiwan. In total, 5,880 respondents were included in the analysis

Results

The trajectories of health-related behaviors differed between males and females. Five groups of male elderly were identified: smoking, inactive, healthy lifestyle, smoking and drinking, and quitting. Three groups of female elderly were identified: smoking and drinking, inactive, and healthy lifestyle. Age, education, self-rated health, depressive symptoms, and economic satisfaction at baseline were associated with the health behavior trajectories

Conclusion

The nature of healthy behaviors and risky behaviors may differ. Thus, multiple trajectories can exhibit patterns that differ from those of single behavior trajectories. Strategies designed to promote health need to consider both gender and behavior patterns which may change over time.

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Acknowledgments

The data was provided by the Population and Health Research Center, Bureau of Health Promotion, Department of Health, Taiwan, Republic of China. The interpretation and conclusions contained herein do not represent those of Bureau of Health Promotion. We appreciate Dr. Bobby L. Jones for providing SAS program used in this study. This study does not have any potential conflicts of interest, and this study had obtained approval by Medical Research Ethics Committee of Asia University.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Health Care Administration, Asia University, No. 500, Lioufeng Road, Wufeng, Taichung, 41354, Taiwan, ROC

    Hui-Chuan Hsu

  2. School of Public Health, Chung Shan Medical University, No. 110, Sec. 1, Jianguo N. Road, Taichung, 40201, Taiwan

    Dih-Ling Luh

  3. Institute of Health Policy and Management, National Taiwan University, No. 17, Xu-Zhou Road, Taipei, Taiwan

    Wen-Chiung Chang

  4. Department of Health, The Executive Yuan, Bureau of Health Promotion, No. 2, Chang-Ching Street, Shin-Juang District, New Taipei City, 24250, Taiwan

    Ling-Yen Pan

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  1. Hui-Chuan Hsu
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  2. Dih-Ling Luh
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Correspondence to Hui-Chuan Hsu.

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Hsu, HC., Luh, DL., Chang, WC. et al. Joint trajectories of multiple health-related behaviors among the elderly. Int J Public Health 58, 109–120 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-012-0358-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-012-0358-9

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