Healthy aging in a cross-sectional study of Australian men: what has sex got to do with it?
OBJECTIVE
To identify lifestyle factors associated with healthy aging in middle-aged and older Australian men.


METHODS
A cross-sectional, population-based, computer-assisted telephone interview study explored self-reported health outcomes, and associated determinants for general and reproductive health (the Men in Australia Telephone Survey) in men aged 40 years and older (n = 5990). "Good health" was defined by self-reported health (excellent/very good) combined with absence of self-reported high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, diabetes and depression symptoms. Categories of sexual activity frequency in the previous four weeks ranged from zero to 12+ times.


RESULTS
"Good health" declined with increasing age with 17% of men over 70 years reporting "good health". In multivariable logistic regression models, significant inverse associations were found between modifiable lifestyle factors - both underweight and overweight/obesity, physical inactivity, smoking and high alcohol consumption - and "good health". Low-risk alcohol intake and living with a partner were positively associated with "good health". Sexual activity was also positively associated with "good health" (p < 0.001) with elevated odds ratios (ORs) for each category of frequency of sexual activity (1-4, 5-8, 9-12 or 12+ times in the past 4 weeks) relative to zero frequency (ORs 1.68 to 2.16).


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that sexual activity is an important correlate of retaining good health in middle- and older-aged men, independent of other behavioral determinants.
Andrology Australia, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University , Victoria , Australia .
Carol A
CA
Holden
Veronica R
VR
Collins
David J
DJ
Handelsman
Damien
D
Jolley
Marian
M
Pitts
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D001315:Australia; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D057566:Self Report; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires