The prevalence and clustering of four major lifestyle risk factors in Hong Kong Chinese older adults.
OBJECTIVE
This study investigated the prevalence and clustering of four common lifestyle risk factors--cigarette smoking, heavy alcohol drinking, physical inactivity, and low consumption of vegetables and fruits--among older Chinese women and men in Hong Kong.


METHODS
The author examined 4,812 community-dwelling older persons aged 60 and older in a cross-sectional representative study, collecting data on lifestyle risk factors and sociodemographics by in-person interviews during household visits.


RESULTS
About 5% of older persons had at least three lifestyle risk factors, and more than 90% of them were men. Clustering was found at both ends of the lifestyle spectrum, especially in older men. Prevalence of multiple risk factors was higher among men, older age groups, and those with higher levels of education but lower for those who were employed.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings suggest that common lifestyle risk factors cluster among older men, and the clustering of risk factors provides support for multiple-behavior interventions.
Department of Social Work and Social Administration, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Rd., Hong Kong. klchou@hku.hk
Kee-Lee
KL
Chou
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology; D044466:Asian People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006723:Hong Kong / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology