Modifiable characteristics of a healthy lifestyle and chronic health conditions in older adults with or without serious psychological distress, 2007 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.
OBJECTIVE
The associations between serious psychological distress (SPD), chronic health conditions, healthy behaviors, healthy weight, and use of preventive services were examined among adults 65 years old and older using the 2007 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS).


METHODS
Participants (N = 35,845) completed a scale of nonspecific psychological distress for the past 30 days. Chronic health conditions were investigated in addition to having a healthy weight (body mass index 18.5-24.9 kg/m(2)), not smoking, consuming < or = 1 alcoholic beverage per day, consuming 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.


RESULTS
People with SPD were more likely than those without SPD to report chronic health conditions and less likely to be nonsmokers. No differences were found for the remaining healthy behaviors, healthy body weight, and use of preventive services.


CONCLUSIONS
Older adults with SPD have a similar pattern of engagement in health behaviors, healthy weight, and use of preventive services compared to those without SPD despite reporting worse health status and presence of multiple chronic health conditions.
McGuire
Lisa C
LC
Division of Adult and Community Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway NE, Atlanta, GA 30341-3724, USA. LMcGuire@cdc.gov
Strine
Tara W
TW
Vachirasudlekha
Stephanie
S
Anderson
Lynda A
LA
Berry
Joyce T
JT
Mokdad
Ali H
AH
D000368:Aged; D040343:Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D011314:Preventive Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology