Nutritional, functional and psychosocial correlates of disability among older adults.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of the present study was to examine the nutritional, functional and psychosocial correlates of disability among 54 older adults aged 65 years of age or older.


METHODS
Using validated questionnaires and tests, nutritional risk (Mini-Nutritional Assessment), functional capacity (mobility, balance, endurance, grip strength and lower extremity strength), the psychosocial factors (life satisfaction, depression, and social support) and level of disability of the participants were examined.


RESULTS
The study showed that functional mobility was the strongest correlate of disability, even after controlling for age, gender and residential living status (p<.05). Life satisfaction and nutrition risk had marginal significance as being related to disability.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of the present study have implications for the development of evidence-based health promotion interventions for older adults.
Johnson
C S J
CS
School of Nutrition and Dietetics, Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia B4P 2R6, Canada. shanthi.johnson@acadiau.ca
Mahon
A
A
McLeod
W
W
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006304:Health Status; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D009748:Nutrition Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D009752:Nutritional Status; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires