Modifiable characteristics of a healthy lifestyle in U.S. older adults with or without frequent mental distress: 2003 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the associations between frequent mental distress (FMD; 14 or more mentally unhealthy days during the previous 30 days), health behaviors, body weight, and use of preventive services among adults >or=65 years using the 2003 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS).


METHODS
Participants (N = 52,600) were asked how many days during the past 30 days that their mental health was not good. Having a healthy weight (body mass index 18.5-24.9 kg/m(2)), not smoking, consuming <or=1 alcoholic beverage per day, consuming of at least five fruits or vegetables daily, participating in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity during the average week, receiving an annual influenza immunization, and ever receiving a pneumococcal immunization were examined in addition to combinations of these behaviors.


RESULTS
People with FMD were less likely than those without FMD to be nonsmokers (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.67, confidence interval [CI] = 0.53-0.85), to consume at least five fruits or vegetables daily (AOR = 0.80, CI = 0.70-0.91), and to participate in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity during the average week (AOR = 0.82, CI = 0.68-0.99). However, there was no difference between those with and without FMD in the consumption of <or=1 alcoholic beverage per day, having a healthy weight, receiving an annual influenza immunization, and ever receiving a pneumococcal immunization.


CONCLUSIONS
Older adults with FMD are less likely to engage in many health behaviors and to use preventive services than those without FMD.
McGuire
Lisa C
LC
Division of Adult and Community Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30341-3724, USA. lmcguire@cdc.gov
Strine
Tara W
TW
Okoro
Catherine A
CA
Ahluwalia
Indu B
IB
Ford
Earl S
ES
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001835:Body Weight; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005845:Georgia; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011314:Preventive Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012307:Risk Factors; D014481:United States