The relationship between active aging and healthy lifestyle behaviors of individuals aged 65 years and older: A cross‐sectional study

Abstract

Background

With the increase in life expectancy in the world, active aging has become an important issue. This study aims to investigate the relationship between healthy lifestyle behaviors and active aging in the elderly.

Methods

This study, which used a descriptive and correlational survey model, was conducted with the participation of 145 individuals aged 65 years and over enrolled in the University Hospital in a city center in Türkiye. Research data were collected with the Patient Information Form, Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors Scale-II (HLBS-II), and Active Aging Scale (AAS). Descriptive statistics, Shapiro Wilk test, Student t-test, ANOVA, Tukey test, Pearson correlation analysis, and multiple linear regression analysis were used in the analysis of the data.

Results

A statistically significant positive correlation was found between the individuals' HLBS-II and the total score of AAS, at a normal level (r = 0.569). The participating elderlies' Active Aging Scale total mean score was 132.01 ± 27.13, and the Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors Scale-II total mean score was 154.96 ± 18.18. A significant negative correlation was found between age and the total score of the Active Aging Scale.

Conclusions

It was determined that healthy lifestyle behaviors contributed positively to the active aging of elderlies. Active aging is negatively affected with increasing age. For the elderly to have an active aging process, it is recommended to strengthen physical activity, nutrition, methods of coping with stress, and spiritual development as much as possible, and to organize applied training programs to protect and improve the health of the elderly and to increase their awareness.