Abstract
BackgroundParticipation in leisure activities (LA) is essential for successful aging. Our aim was to investigate the cross-sectional association of types of LA with self-rated health (SRH) by gender and work status.MethodsThe target population was all residents aged ≥65 years in a municipality (n = 16,010; response rate, 62.5%). We analyzed 4,044 men and 4,617 women without disabilities. LA were categorized into 14 types. SRH was assessed through the SF-8. Excellent or very good SRH was defined as positive SRH. Covariates included age, marital status, education, subjective economic status, body mass index, chronic diseases, alcohol, smoking, walking time, depression, and cognitive functioning. Multiple logistic regressions were used to calculate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for positive SRH, with non-participation as the reference.ResultsAfter adjustment for covariates and mutual adjustment for other LA, participation in the following types of LA was positively associated with positive SRH: sports activities among working men (OR 1.46; 95% CI, 1.07–2.00), non-working men (OR 1.33; 95% CI, 1.04–1.69), and non-working women (OR 1.74; 95% CI, 1.41–2.15); cooking among non-working men (OR 1.65; 95% CI, 1.18–2.33) and non-working women (OR 1.28; 95% CI, 1.03–1.60); musical activities among working men (OR 1.44; 95% CI, 1.01–2.05) and non-working women (OR 1.59; 95% CI, 1.29–1.95); and technology usage only among working men (OR 1.41; 95% CI, 1.01–1.96). In contrast, TV watching was negatively associated with positive SRH among non-working women (OR 0.69; 95% CI, 0.56–0.85).ConclusionsOur results suggest that encouraging older adults to participate in types of LA appropriate to their gender and work status might be a key to positive SRH.
Highlights
In our rapidly aging society, health priorities for older people are not just about extending lives, but extending years of being active; in other words, maintaining independent living
There are a limited number of studies concerning gender differences in regards to health effects of different types of leisure activities (LA): Nilsen et al reported that solitary activities, such as solving crossword puzzles, predicted longer survival only for women[5]; in a study by Agahi and Parker, solitary activities, such as hobby activities and gardening, were associated with a lower mortality risk only in men[7]; Takeda et al found that gardening could prevent progressive dementia-associated senility in men, while sports activities were beneficial only for older women[8]; and Gautam et al reported that TV watching correlated to lower depression for both genders, while physical exercise related to lower depression only for older men.[9]
We examined the interaction between work status and each type of LA and the interaction between gender and each type of LA, in relation to positive self-rated health (SRH)
Summary
In our rapidly aging society, health priorities for older people are not just about extending lives, but extending years of being active; in other words, maintaining independent living. It is possible that LA affect aged people in different ways depending on their type.[5] it has been pointed out in a prior study that men and women often preferred different activities.[6] there are a limited number of studies concerning gender differences in regards to health effects of different types of LA: Nilsen et al reported that solitary activities, such as solving crossword puzzles, predicted longer survival only for women[5]; in a study by Agahi and Parker, solitary activities, such as hobby activities and gardening, were associated with a lower mortality risk only in men[7]; Takeda et al found that gardening could prevent progressive dementia-associated senility in men, while sports activities were beneficial only for older women[8]; and Gautam et al reported that TV watching correlated to lower depression for both genders, while physical exercise related to lower depression only for older men.[9] the results of prior studies cannot be compared because of their different LA definitions and outcomes, they suggest that it is vital to conduct stratified analyses by gender. Our aim was to investigate the crosssectional association of types of LA with self-rated health (SRH) by gender and work status
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