title: Do productive activities reduce inflammation in later life? Multiple roles, frequency of activities, and C-reactive protein.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The study investigates whether productive activities by older adults reduce bodily inflammation, as indicated by C-reactive protein (CRP), a biomeasure associated with the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study uses a representative survey of adults aged 57-85 from the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (N = 1,790). Linear regression models were used to analyze the effects of multiple roles (employment, volunteering, attending meetings, and caregiving) and the frequency of activity within each role on log values of CRP concentration (mg/L) drawn from assayed blood samples.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Number of roles for productive activities was associated with lower levels of CRP net of chronic conditions, lifestyle factors, and socioeconomic resources. When specific types of activity were examined, volunteering manifested the strongest association with lower levels of inflammation, particularly in the 70+ group. There was no evidence that frequent engagement in volunteer activity was associated with heightened inflammation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Productive activities-and frequent volunteering in particular-may protect individuals from inflammation that is associated with increased risk of hypertension and cardiovascular disease.
authors: Center on Aging and the Life Course and Department of Sociology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana. kim585@purdue.edu.
authors: Seoyoun
authors: S
authors: Kim
authors: Center on Aging and the Life Course and Department of Sociology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana.
authors: Kenneth F
authors: KF
authors: Ferraro
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000097:blood*; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology; D004651:Employment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006379:Helping Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood*; D008019:Life Style; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D058992:Social Participation; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014838:Volunteers / Q000523:psychology
chemical_list: D002097:C-Reactive Protein
keywords: Acute-phase protein; Productive activities; Social participation; Volunteering
references: Am J Cardiol. 2006 Apr 1;97(7):1010-6
references: 16563907
references: J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2013 Mar;68(2):310-9
references: 23292324
references: J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2009 Nov;64 Suppl 1:i131-6
references: 19244547
references: J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2012 Nov;67(6):660-5
references: 22454386
references: Psychosom Med. 2006 May-Jun;68(3):376-81
references: 16738067
references: J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2012 Nov;67(6):765-74
references: 22929396
references: J Health Soc Behav. 1995 Sep;36(3):230-43
references: 7594356
references: J Health Soc Behav. 2001 Jun;42(2):115-31
references: 11467248
references: Am J Epidemiol. 2003 Apr 1;157(7):633-42
references: 12672683
references: J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2000 Sep;55(5):S308-18
references: 10985302
references: Gerontologist. 1997 Aug;37(4):433-40
references: 9279031
references: Gerontologist. 2014 Apr;54(2):277-89
references: 23213083
references: Gerontologist. 1986 Jun;26(3):239-44
references: 3721229
references: J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2003 May;58(3):S137-45
references: 12730314
references: Psychol Aging. 2003 Jun;18(2):250-67
references: 12825775
references: Soc Sci Med. 2003 Jan;56(2):259-69
references: 12473312
references: Soc Sci Med. 2011 Nov;73(9):1340-8
references: 21920651
references: J Health Soc Behav. 2005 Mar;46(1):68-84
references: 15869121
references: JAMA. 2003 Dec 10;290(22):2945-51
references: 14665655
references: J Occup Health Psychol. 2001 Oct;6(4):361-70
references: 11605829
references: Psychol Sci. 2003 Jul;14(4):320-7
references: 12807404
references: J Aging Soc Policy. 2008;20(2):141-64
references: 18788362
references: J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2012 Jul;67(4):503-13
references: 22588996
references: J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2007 Jul;62(4):S267-75
references: 17673540
references: J Health Soc Behav. 2007 Dec;48(4):450-64
references: 18198690
references: J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2009 Nov;64 Suppl 1:i12-9
references: 19567827
references: J Health Soc Behav. 1995 Sep;36(3):259-73
references: 7594358
references: J Gerontol. 1989 Jul;44(4):S129-38
references: 2738316