title: Aging gracefully in Greater Beirut: are there any gender-based differences?
abstract: The implications of rapid aging of the Lebanese population are under-researched. No national studies have so far investigated the living conditions and the health status of urban Lebanese elderly across gender. This was a cross-sectional study involving 905 randomly selected community dwelling elderly aged ≥65 years living in Greater Beirut. Gender differences were assessed among participants who completed a standardized questionnaire on socio-demographic factors, nutritional, health, and functional characteristics. The sample included 533 men (59%) and 372 women (41%). Elderly were regrouped into 'younger elderly' (≤70 years), and 'older elderly' (>70 years) which represented respectively 44.3% and 55.7% of the total population. Women, regardless of their age, were less educated and more likely to live alone. Moreover, poor nutritional status, self-perceived health, absence of physical activity, comorbidity, polymedication and depression were significantly higher among women. 'Older elderly' women became significantly more functionally disabled compared with men of their age. This study evidenced that Lebanese elderly women were disadvantaged regarding their socio-economic, health and functional status. It is requested a nationwide effort to improve the socio-economic status and the health of Lebanese elderly, especially women.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Pharmacy, Saint Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Rosy N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Mitri
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Pharmacy, Saint Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Christa M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Boulos
authors.affiliation: Epidemiology and population health department (EPHD), Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Salim M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Adib
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007861:Lebanon; D008297:Male; D009752:Nutritional Status; D057185:Sedentary Behavior; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires